Official Report 440KB pdf
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business
14:01
The first item of business this afternoon is portfolio questions, and the first portfolio is constitution, external affairs and culture, and parliamentary business.
Libraries
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the current state of libraries in Scotland as part of any action it is taking to protect and strengthen these services. (S6O-05515)
As of 1 February 2026, 450 of 461 public libraries across Scotland were open, with a further eight libraries scheduled to reopen. Some remain closed due to refurbishment or reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete inspections.
The Scottish Government places great importance on public libraries and believes that everyone should have access to library services. The Scottish Library and Information Council has convened a short-life advisory group to explore good-quality public library services, and I look forward to receiving its recommendations shortly.
Libraries are the beating heart of our communities, but since the Scottish National Party came to power, 16 per cent—that is, 97—of them have closed. Funding has fallen by 30 per cent, but footfall has increased by 40 per cent. In my region, just in the city of Aberdeen, six libraries have closed, with further proposals to cut the number of school librarians, leaving many communities without access to these vital services.
I heard what the cabinet secretary said, and that is welcome, but what specific action—beyond having meetings and discussions—will he take now to stop further library closures? Why are communities, including pupils, paying the price for the SNP’s failure to protect local services?
First, decisions about local provision are, in the first instance, for local authorities.
I reprise my point that we are being well advised by the Scottish Library and Information Council, which is looking at many of the issues that Tess White raises. I have not yet received its report. Given the member’s strong interest in the subject, I would be grateful if she would share her examples with the short-life advisory group, and copy me in, so that I can better understand her points about the region that she represents.
The cabinet secretary may have seen a recent report by The Ferret about the growth of book-ban campaigns across Scotland, many of which are motivated by homophobia and transphobia. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, if such toxic culture war techniques began to grow here, as they have done in the US, it would be extremely harmful to Scotland’s libraries? Does he agree that the Scottish Government should ensure that clear guidance is put in place to enable libraries and librarians to resist book-ban campaigns?
I listened closely to what has just been raised, which is a matter of concern. Our proceedings are watched outside the chamber, including by the likes of the Scottish Library and Information Council. I would be grateful if the member could forward me information about those cases, because that sounds very concerning. I would like to look a lot more closely at that and to draw the issue to the attention of the council.
Cabinet secretary, libraries and community centres often provide a valuable space for events, connection and digital inclusion. Do you agree that they are vital third spaces? Can you say any more about the Scottish Government’s work to recognise that role?
Always speak through the chair.
I recognise the important role that libraries and community centres play in providing access to information technology, improving attainment, supporting children in the early years, helping and engaging older people, empowering our communities and much more besides. The Scottish Government supports public libraries via the Scottish Library and Information Council. In 2026-27, SLIC will receive an additional £100,000, taking its funding to £1.035 million. That includes funding for the public library improvement fund, which enables libraries to undertake a wide range of pioneering projects in communities.
Following recent reports of violence against Edinburgh library staff, what discussions is the Scottish Government having with Police Scotland and local authorities to ensure that library workers can provide service to the community in a safe and protected environment?
I have not had such discussions, but Mr Choudhury’s question raises concerns that I would share with him. If he can forward any information about specific incidents that I am not aware of, I will most certainly bring that up in conversation with, among others, the culture conveners of local authorities. We are trying to work closely on cultural provision, and that seems exactly the kind of issue on which we need to have an active dialogue.
Adam Smith Heritage (Cultural and Economic Potential)
To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with local and national bodies to maximise the cultural and economic potential of the Adam Smith heritage in Kirkcaldy. (S6O-05516)
The Scottish Government directly funds Museums Galleries Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland to support the sector by providing advice and grants to organisations across Scotland. In 2026-27, we will provide £6.25 million of resource funding to MGS, which includes funding to continue the flagship museum futures programme as well as £1.6 million in capital funding. In addition, we support Historic Environment Scotland, which offers a grant scheme of around £13.5 million a year.
I encourage the Adam Smith heritage centre to engage with MGS and HES on sector-specific support, as well as VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise, to help to maximise its potential.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the publication of “The Wealth of Nations”. When it was written and published, Adam Smith was living in Kirkcaldy, and the anniversary presents a great opportunity for Kirkcaldy to have the planned celebrations in the lang toun. Given that events are also planned in Edinburgh and Glasgow, how is the Scottish Government working with partners such as VisitScotland to help to co-ordinate the events to ensure that Kirkcaldy has its deserved prominence and to encourage visitors to include a visit to Kirkcaldy in their plans?
Claire Baker raises excellent suggestions to make the most of that important anniversary, domestically—of course, in Kirkcaldy in the first instance—and internationally. There is tremendous potential in that. I have shared examples of where funding might be accessed for the year, but I want to satisfy myself that, across Government agencies, and working with local authority partners, including Fife Council, every opportunity is considered to make the most of this important anniversary year.
Local Arts, Heritage and Culture Services (Local Government Funding)
To ask the Scottish Government what the obligations of local government are in relation to the funding of local arts, heritage and culture services. (S6O-05517)
Local authority cultural provision is entirely a matter for each local authority. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their budgets and to allocate the total financial resources that are available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities. That means that local authorities are accountable to the public who elect them and have the financial freedom to operate independently.
When councils are setting their budgets across my region, the first cuts that they reach for are cuts to support funds for arts and cultural services. Those services tackle isolation, support mental health, strengthen communities and provide an economic boost.
Unfortunately, they are at serious risk of being stripped out of local areas altogether, and some cultural organisations in the Western Isles say that, without Government funding, they will have to close, which means that jobs will be lost. What protections can the Scottish Government offer to the arts and culture sector, which faces another year of catastrophic funding cuts?
Rhoda Grant would acknowledge that the Government is currently providing the biggest uplift in cultural spending in Scotland in the history of devolution, other than during Covid. When it comes to multiyear funding of organisations and project streams, the Scottish Government is playing its part. It is very disappointing if local authority partners see culture and arts as the first area to cut.
The 2026-27 budget delivers record funding of almost £15.7 billion for local authorities, which is a real-terms increase of 2 per cent. That includes funding of £124.7 million for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, which is an increase of £6.7 million. It is for locally elected representatives to decide on the delivery of services in their local communities, but I recognise the deep concerns that have been raised by cultural organisations in the Western Isles.
I welcome the record local government settlement in the budget and the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to uplifting the culture budget. Does the cabinet secretary agree that our communities are richer for our culture, and can he say any more about how that investment will support the arts and creative industries across Scotland?
The Scottish Government is delivering an additional £20 million in funding for culture in 2026-27, which is the next major step in honouring our commitment to provide an additional £100 million annually for culture by 2028-29. That takes the total annual increase in the culture budget to £70 million since 2023-24, and the additional funding has allowed Creative Scotland to offer multiyear funding to a record number of cultural organisations.
Multiyear-funded organisations now have a base in 27 local authority areas, and 35 per cent of organisations operate beyond their home postcodes, which provides communities across Scotland with access to the arts.
Regardless of what the cabinet secretary has said about the Scottish Government’s direct funding for the arts, the reality—as Rhoda Grant has pointed out—is that much local arts funding comes from local authorities. At the moment, those local authorities are setting budgets with inflation-busting council tax increases, while slashing services and cutting grants to cultural organisations. Who does the cabinet secretary blame for that?
The issue is not about blame. There needs to be an optimal working relationship between the Scottish Government and local authorities, which we will achieve through the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. I find it disappointing that there are arts and culture closures in different local authorities, but that picture is not universal. Closures are a choice that locally elected representatives make.
Often, I hear calls from Mr Fraser’s side of the chamber that there is too much centralised control and that there should be local decision making—on this issue, I agree with those members. This is an area in which local authorities have responsibility. We will work in partnership with them, because I want to protect culture and arts services across Scotland, but we will do that only through partnership and local government delivery, just as the Scottish Government is delivering for culture and the arts.
Free-to-air Television Broadcasting
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the United Kingdom Government regarding free-to-air television broadcasting in Scotland, including in relation to sporting events such as the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth games and 2027 Tour de France. (S6O-05518)
The Scottish Government engages regularly with the UK Government on broadcasting and will continue to represent Scotland’s interests. As part of that, ministers press for greater inclusion of Scottish sporting events in the listed events regime.
In August and December, we wrote to the UK Government to express our disappointment about the Commonwealth games not being broadcast free to air. I urge the UK Government to use its powers to ensure that Glasgow’s games are broadcast free to air. Broadcast rights for the Tour de France are a matter for the event owner, but we are working with partners to maximise the grand départ’s reach.
Scotland has a formidable track record of organising major sporting events, such as the 2014 Commonwealth games, the UEFA Euro 2020 championship and the 2023 cycling world championships. The next 18 months will add another Commonwealth games and the grand départ—I am using the cabinet secretary’s pronunciation—of the Tour de France to that list. Although that is hugely exciting for those who follow sports in Scotland, exclusive live broadcasting rights for both events are held in the UK by a subscription channel, which costs £30.99 a month. Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is inconceivable that those two global events might take place behind a paywall? Will he join me in calling on the UK Government to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that they are free to air for all people in Scotland?
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and I wrote to the UK Government in August and December last year to express our concerns and disappointment about the Commonwealth games not being broadcast on free-to-air television. I urge the UK Government to use the powers at its disposal to ensure that Glasgow’s Commonwealth games are broadcast on free-to-air television so that they can be enjoyed by everyone.
Broadcast rights for the Tour de France are a matter for the event owner, ASO. We are committed to working collaboratively with all partners to develop opportunities to maximise the exposure and reach of the grand départ to ensure that it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.
Constitutional Policy and Strategy (Spending)
To ask the Scottish Government how much it anticipates it will spend on matters relating to constitutional policy and strategy in 2025-26 and 2026-27. (S6O-05519)
Constitutional work includes work on a range of issues, including intergovernmental relations, the British-Irish Council, legislative consent, elections and constitutional reform. Details of the funding allocated to each ministerial portfolio in both financial years were published in the respective budgets.
This time last year, we were told by the Liberal Democrats that the price of their support for the budget was the deletion of expenditure on independence. However, without sounding like Colin Beattie, we know that spending on independence is woven right through the Government’s accounts. Is Alex Cole-Hamilton, as he prepares to back this year’s budget, about to be duped yet again by the Scottish Government, or are the cynical Lib Dems about to sell out their principles yet again as they cosy up ever closer to John Swinney in the hope of ministerial preferment after the next election?
I am responsible for many things, but that does not include the Liberal Democrats.
Constitutional policy development is an essential function of the Scottish Government and is crucial to the implementation of devolution and the new powers that followed. Mr Hoy does not like to be reminded of the fact that the majority of MSPs who were elected to the Scottish Parliament are in favour of Scottish independence. As is absolutely right and proper for a democratically elected Government and Parliament, we will do all that we can to further the aims of Scotland retaking its place in the international community and rejoining the European Union as an independent member state.
Does the cabinet secretary think that Craig Hoy is protesting just a bit too much, given that he was incapable of negotiating anything from the budget, even to defend businesses in this country? Thanks to the Liberal Democrats, businesses will have a reduction in their business rates compared with what was planned. Is Craig Hoy not just a little bit sore?
I am not entirely sure that any of that directly relates to question 5, so we will move to question 6.
Budget 2026-27(Small and Medium-sized Cultural Events)
To ask the Scottish Government how its draft budget 2026-27 supports the delivery of small and medium-sized cultural events. (S6O-05520)
The Scottish Government supports small and medium-sized cultural events through Creative Scotland’s multiyear funding. Creative Scotland will receive an additional £20 million for its multiyear funding programme in 2026-27 as part of our commitment to provide a further £100 million to the culture sector by 2028-29. That will take the funding available to £74 million in 2026-27, which will enable Creative Scotland to support cultural events across Scotland, with 77 per cent of the multiyear funding portfolio going to presenting organisations that deliver performances, exhibitions and events directly to the public.
People involved in smaller events in my constituency have raised concerns about lengthy and complicated processes for accessing funding from organisations such as EventScotland. How does the Government engage with organisations that administer funding to ensure easy access for small organisations that run local events?
VisitScotland has made significant progress on measures to improve efficiency and better tailor and target the support that it provides. A key focus of VisitScotland remains how it can continue to evolve to best meet the ever-changing demands of the visitor and events economy, while ensuring that public funds are used to maximum effect. The Minister for Business and Employment engages regularly with VisitScotland, and I will ensure that Ms Tweed’s views are conveyed to its chief executive when they meet again next month.
Campaigners in Helensburgh in my region have been fighting tirelessly to save the Tower arts centre, which was a popular destination that offered movie screenings and live events. In April, Save the Tower volunteers secured funding from the Scottish land fund, only to find out that the company that owned the venue had been struck off the Companies House register, and they were thus unable to complete the process. It now appears that the company has reappeared on Companies House, but the campaigners need clarity and certainty. What is the cabinet secretary doing to ensure that venues such as the Tower are provided with long-term funding so that they can continue to carry out screenings and events?
I agree that the Scottish land fund invests in many projects that we would all support. I am sorry to hear about the local difficulties that Pam Gosal reports in relation to the Tower arts centre. I would be grateful if she could forward details to me so that I and my officials can have a look at that, because it would be beneficial to allow a project that is of such importance to the local community to go ahead.
Local History Authors
To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to authors documenting local history. (S6O-05521)
The Scottish Government funds our national cultural body, Creative Scotland, which has funding programmes that are open to creative authors. Organisations that receive Creative Scotland multiyear funding, such as the Scottish Book Trust and the Gaelic Books Council, also support creative authors. There is also support for a wide range of book festivals, which enable creative authors to platform their work and engage with audiences.
The Scottish Government also funds organisations that preserve and promote Scotland’s arts, culture and heritage, including the National Records of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland.
I highlight the recent work by my constituent Hugh Gaffney, who has published “Auchengeich: Gone But Not Forgotten”. The book documents the 1959 Auchengeich pit disaster in which 47 miners from Moodiesburn, Chryston and the surrounding areas lost their lives, including my own great uncle. Hugh Gaffney has spoken about wanting to break the written silence regarding one of Scotland’s worst mining tragedies and to ensure that the stories of the men, their families and their community are preserved. Will the cabinet secretary go into a bit more detail about how the Government supports the recording of Scottish history, particularly by local authors, so that such stories are never forgotten?
All books that are published in this country are available in the National Library of Scotland, and Mark Griffin makes an important point about keeping and preserving local history, particularly regarding tragedies and the loss of life.
There is also a wider question about the promotion of important works, as Mark Griffin has described. I would be happy to discuss the matter further with him to explore whether there is anything else that can be done in relation to that question.
Climate Change Plan (Debate)
To ask the Scottish Government what potential challenges it anticipates in relation to the scheduling of a chamber debate on the climate change plan before the end of the current parliamentary session. (S6O-05522)
Subject to parliamentary approval later today, a debate on the draft climate change plan will be held on Thursday 5 March. As such, there are no challenges in relation to scheduling the debate. That demonstrates the importance that the Government, the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy and I place on giving committees and the Parliament their place in the finalisation of the plan.
When they prepared that response, the minister’s bevy of civil servants added a word that I did not put in the question. I am not talking about the draft climate change plan; I am talking about the climate change plan that had a public consultation that closed at the end of January, and which the Climate Change Committee and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee will respond to at the end of next week. The debate that will be held on 5 March will be on the draft plan, while the real plan—the completed plan—must be laid before Parliament by the end of March. Will the Parliament get a chance to debate that plan or will we just be fobbed off with the draft plan?
As I hope that Mr Mountain would acknowledge, the Scottish Government has bent over backwards to facilitate scrutiny of the plan.
As the minister responsible for parliamentary business, I agreed, in conjunction with the bureau, to set aside the time that the Net Zero, Energy and Transport committee sought to debate the plan. I then rescheduled business to accommodate the debate on a date that allowed the committee to take evidence from the CCC in advance. Furthermore, it is our intention to go beyond what the legislation requires and lay a final statement on the plan and, subject to bureau agreement, to have the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy make a statement to the Parliament so that she can be questioned by members.
Facilitating that level of scrutiny has been no easy task, given pressure on parliamentary time. That pressure has been caused in part by the extended nature of some stage 3 proceedings, which is a result of very large numbers of amendments being lodged and pressed to the vote—[Interruption.]
That is nonsense.
Members.
—and, it should be said, those amendments often emanated from the same, single source. Perhaps Mr Mountain shares my concerns about the impact of such actions, which make it all the more difficult to facilitate optimum scrutiny of critical items of parliamentary business.
That concludes portfolio questions on constitution, external affairs and culture, and parliamentary business. There will be a short pause before we move to the next item of business to allow front-bench teams to change positions.
Justice and Home Affairs
Automatic Early Release (Parole Services and Victim Support Services)
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the changes to automatic early release for certain prisoners, what additional support will be available to parole services and services that support victims. (S6O-05523)
Support for those who are being released from prison and for victims of crime is essential. Over the past five years, we have provided £93 million to support victims, including £48 million via the victim-centred approach fund and £57.3 million via the delivering equally safe fund.
People leaving prison after a short-term sentence are legally entitled to request throughcare support. Such support can be accessed through local justice, social work or third sector providers, including Upside, the national voluntary throughcare service, which is funded by an annual investment of £5.3 million.
We will continue to engage with delivery partners and victim support organisations ahead of a possible change to the release point for certain prisoners to ensure that victims are aware of how they can access information and support.
The cabinet secretary has previously commented that, despite measures to reduce prisoner numbers, such as lowering the automatic early release point to 40 per cent in 2024, the prison population remains stubbornly high. Does she agree that, if prison numbers are too high, targeted investment in early intervention and diversion schemes needs to be increased in proportion to that challenge? Is she confident that taking such measures without beefing up additional resources will not aggravate the high risk levels that are associated with those policies?
I agree that the prison population is currently too high. Like the countries in the rest of the United Kingdom, we are an outlier in comparison with other European countries. I have often spoken in the chamber about the importance of our increased investment in community justice services. However, Davy Russell’s point about preventative measures—whether they are in health, education or tackling poverty—is vital, and such measures must be part of a long-term approach.
Will the cabinet secretary provide an update on when changes to the parole system under the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 will commence?
The 2025 act provides that, when considering release, the Parole Board “must”—rather than “may”—consider whether a prisoner has disclosed the location of the victim’s remains and consider the safety and security of any victim or a victim’s family members. A Scottish statutory instrument was laid on 11 December 2025 to begin the process of commencing those provisions. Another SSI was laid before the Parliament on 13 February this year to make the necessary changes to the Parole Board rules. Those changes will come into force on 25 March.
What modelling was done, prior to the proposals to let criminals out after just 30 per cent of their sentence, to show the impact on victims, including on the numbers being re-victimised, and on the case loads of agencies that support those victims?
Modelling was done on what the proposed measure would do to reduce the prison population through a sustained measure.
Liam Kerr makes a valid point about the impact on the case loads of community justice partners. Although it is difficult to predict precisely, it is fair to say that the population of prisoners being considered for release are people who will return to the community in the not-too-distant future. I think that I am in agreement with Mr Kerr in acknowledging that that will increase the short-term demand on services. That is why we are working very closely with our partners in the community to establish the level of need, which is done via co-operation prior to prisoners being released.
Automatic Early Release (Offenders Convicted of Serious Violent Offences)
To ask the Scottish Government whether offenders convicted of serious violent offences could be eligible for release after serving around 30 per cent of their custodial sentence under the proposed changes to automatic release points. (S6O-05524)
Most prisoners convicted of non-sexual crimes of violence are long-term prisoners who have been sentenced to four years or more, and who are therefore not eligible for early release under the proposed change. The change would apply to all short-term prisoners except for those serving sentences for domestic abuse or sexual offences, which reflects the historic barriers in reporting those offences. I recognise the concerns raised by victims and victim support organisations and I will continue to engage closely with them. The proposed exclusions seek to balance public safety, the concerns of victims and supporting a sustainable reduction in the prison population.
During last year’s emergency early release scheme, the governor’s veto was the key safety valve, and it was used to prevent 171 prisoners who had been assessed as posing an immediate risk of harm from being released into the community. Now the Government wants to hardwire a 30 per cent automatic release point and dictate where the veto will not apply. Will the cabinet secretary give a guarantee that no prisoner whose early release was previously vetoed on public safety grounds will be let out early as a result of the changes? If that guarantee cannot be given, why is the Government asking victims and the public to carry that risk?
The governor veto is exclusive to the use of early emergency release. The legislative context for what we can and cannot do for this measure is different from the early emergency release measures. That is because early emergency release is done at pace and the legislation allows for a governor’s veto. I stress that the Government works with community partners prior to the release of short-term prisoners, all of whom will return to our community at some point in the not-too-distant future. That remains vital.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the horrendous case of Rab Thomson, who was jailed for life in 2008 for murdering two of his children at their home in Buckhaven. More than 1,000 people have supported a petition to change the process of eligibility for parole, which would limit applications in extreme cases. Is the Scottish Government giving consideration to changes to such eligibility?
As the member may be aware, a consultation on parole was carried out at the end of last year. There were, in essence, two parts to it: one was about the efficiency of the parole system and how it supports progression, and the other was about how victims can relate to the parole process. We are currently analysing responses to that important consultation.
Although recorded crime has reduced by 38 per cent since 2006-07 under the Scottish National Party Government, the focus remains on supporting victims. What engagement has the Scottish Government had with support organisations on the changes to automatic release points?
Protecting victims and public safety remain absolute priorities for me and this Government. That is why, in addition to the targeted consultation on the changes, my officials and I personally met victim support organisations, including Victim Support Scotland and key delivery partners, to hear their views at first hand.
My thanks go to all the organisations that responded to the consultation and offered a broad range of perspectives. We will work directly with victim support organisations to raise awareness of what the changes mean and to encourage those who are eligible to sign up to the victim notification scheme.
Is the Government concerned that when short-term sentences are eventually automatically reduced to 30 per cent of the sentence, and if it adopts the Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission’s recommendation to ban sentences of one year or less, that could result in charges increasing sentences to take account of those measures? Has any work been done with the judiciary to ensure that the purpose of those measures is not defeated?
The member raises a point about the risks associated with up-tariffing. It is important to note that issue when we are considering any measure. We have a lot of work to do to consider the Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission’s recommendations collectively and individually. We will do that with as much rigour and pace as we can.
When the cabinet secretary announced that she wants to release prisoners who have served only a third of their sentence, she said that there would be “a short consultation”. The consultation period lasted only three days and it was conducted with a targeted number of respondents. That was a couple of weeks ago. What was the outcome of that consultation, and will it be made publicly available?
As told members last week, in the interests of transparency, and with the consent of everyone who participated in the consultation, we will release whatever information we are given permission to release. I assure Mr Ross that we complied with the legislation in relation to whom to consult. The legislation, which was passed by this Parliament, was pretty specific in that regard.
Island Communities (Policing)
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that policing of island communities is adequately resourced. (S6O-05525)
Although deployment of resources is a matter for the chief constable, Police Scotland remains committed to visible, community-based policing across our islands. Officer numbers in the Highlands and Islands remain stable and recruitment is strong: in the past year, Police Scotland welcomed its highest number of recruits since 2013.
Policing remains a priority for the Scottish Government, as our budget for this year and next year clearly shows. As of 30 September 2025, Scotland had around 30 full-time equivalent officers per 10,000 of the population, compared with around 24 officers per 10,000 of the population in England and Wales. Our officers remain the best-paid ones in the United Kingdom.
Island communities have often been seen as being protected from the worst rises in crime and antisocial behaviour experienced in mainland communities. However, among some islanders there is a feeling that the prevalence of low-level crime and antisocial behaviour is increasing. When there is a spate of incidents, island communities cannot just borrow officers from neighbouring commands because those commands are at least a ferry journey away.
Police Scotland is around 1,000 officers down since the Covid pandemic. What is the Scottish Government doing specifically to protect island policing? Will the cabinet secretary commit to having minimum staffing levels for island areas and to publishing details of island-by-island vacancies and response times, so that communities can see whether they are being properly resourced?
Those specific details are matters for the chief constable and are scrutinised directly by the Scottish Police Authority rather than by ministers.
On the remainder of Mr Halcro Johnston’s question, we all have to recognise that there are challenges associated with the geography of our remote and rural communities and, in particular, of our island communities. Police Scotland bears that in mind when conducting recruitment and has specifically targeted events to recruit officers for the Highlands and Islands. However, when I next meet the chief constable I will raise the issues that Mr Halcro Johnston mentioned, with a view to offering him some reassurance.
The cabinet secretary referred to recruitment levels across the Highlands and Islands being broadly consistent. It is fair to say that, within the islands, challenges remain in relation to recruitment and retention? Certainly, in Orkney, the force is stretched very thinly. In the face of a rising tide of drug-related incidents, that is putting enormous strain on an already stretched force. Will the cabinet secretary take that up with Police Scotland and see what more can be done, including on the points that Jamie Halcro Johnston made, to address the capacity issues in island communities such as Orkney?
My short answer is yes.
Legal Aid Reforms
To ask the Scottish Government how the recently announced legal aid reforms will ensure the accessibility of justice. (S6O-05526)
Our reforms to legal aid will strengthen access to justice, which is a central aim of our changes. Parliament has approved reforms to children’s and criminal legal aid to remove means and merit testing in the children’s hearings system and to reduce financial barriers for young people who are moving on from care. For criminal cases, the reforms will reduce complexity, support early resolution of cases and guarantee timely representation.
The Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 will remove restrictions that prevent charities, law centres and citizens advice bodies from directly employing solicitors to provide certain legal services. In addition, the legal aid traineeship fund is part of our longer-term commitment to improving the sustainability and capacity of the legal aid profession.
Will the minister explain how the reforms will ensure equality of access, particularly in more remote areas?
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring access to justice in remote areas. Funding is available to allow solicitors to travel to remote parts of the country, which ensures that individuals do not have to rely on local provision alone when they seek publicly funded legal assistance. Furthermore, the Scottish Legal Aid Board funds 16 projects, including in East Lothian, to support people who are facing court action. We fund public legal services through the Civil Legal Assistance Office and the Public Defence Solicitors Office.
All those services can operate across a wide geographical area. In addition, through our on-going reform programme, we are considering how different funding models can be used to strengthen access to legal aid where it is needed most.
A recent survey by the Law Society of Scotland found that 41 per cent of solicitors are either planning to stop legal aid work within two years or are unsure whether they will continue. That shows the damage that has been caused by years of underfunding, which a delayed uplift will not reverse. By what date will the minister end legal aid advice deserts and guarantee access to a solicitor in every part of Scotland?
As the member and Parliament know, I have been working closely with the legal profession over the past couple of years to see what can be put in place to improve access to justice. One of the main things that we can do is provide an uplift. Regulations to do that were laid in Parliament on 28 January. If the measure is approved, it will provide a 13 per cent increase in legal aid fees and fixed payments for solicitors.
As I said to Paul McLennan, once the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 has been commenced, it will remove restrictions that prevent charities, law centres and citizens advice bodies from directly employing solicitors.
I have set up an independent fee review mechanism group to explore the fundamental changes that are required to create a legal assistance system for the 21st century. In addition, the Scottish budget has made provision to double the number of places for legal aid traineeships from 20 to 40 in order to improve the sustainability and capacity of the legal profession. The work continues.
Question 5 comes from Clare Adamson, who joins us remotely.
Remand Prisoners (Co-located Support Services)
To ask the Scottish Government what co-located services are available to support the welfare of remand prisoners released directly from court. (S6O-05527)
The primary co-located support is available through justice social work services, which provide on-site advice, guidance and onward referral to relevant community services. Everyone who leaves custody, including from remand, can access support with issues such as housing, health and social care, benefits and finances, where necessary. Many justice social work services are co-located with, or have a presence in, court buildings, to allow early engagement and to enable welfare or wellbeing risks to be identified.
In addition, since July 2025, voluntary throughcare delivered by Upside has been available to all individuals who leave remand. As I said earlier, that is a national service that receives annual funding of £5.3 million.
In my work with recovery groups, I still hear stories of people being released from prison with their belongings held back in the prison estate, which means that they do not have access to a mobile phone or a means of making an onward journey to their place of previous residence, and they are left feeling very vulnerable. What work has been done to establish the suitability of the current service? Is the cabinet secretary aware of the situations that still arise, especially at weekends, when access to housing can sometimes be difficult?
I mentioned Upside, which is the new national throughcare service that has expanded its remit to include the male remand population. The focus of its work is to engage quickly with individuals who are released from remand and provide needs-led support as they return to the community.
I have also recently commenced section 13 of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023, which is about developing national throughcare standards that all organisations that are involved in the delivery of throughcare will be required to comply with. That will improve the consistency and quality of throughcare support across the country for those who are released from prison and from court.
Budget 2026-27 (Community Justice Services)
To ask the Scottish Government how the additional £10 million of funding for community justice services announced in its draft budget 2026-27 will be allocated. (S6O-05528)
We are committed to strengthening community justice, reinforcing front-line capacity and ensuring that services are well supported. That £10 million will mean a total investment of £169 million in community justice services, and the increase builds on additional funding of £25 million over the past two years. The majority of that investment is for justice social work services, whose funding will increase to £148 million—that is an increase of 55.8 per cent over the past decade.
For many people with complex needs, including trauma, addiction, mental ill health and neurodivergence, effective community justice can be genuinely life changing, not just for them but for victims and the wider community. We know that community-based interventions, including restorative justice, can reduce reoffending and prevent harm from escalating. Will the cabinet secretary outline what further improvements she expects the funding to deliver for communities across Scotland?
The majority of our investment in community justice will support local justice social work teams to expand the availability and quality of community-based interventions, including structured programmes, supervision and support for individuals with complex needs. The funding will help to ensure that courts have robust alternatives to custody available across Scotland and that services can maintain safe case-load levels while meeting rising demand.
The member touches on the important role of third sector organisations. I mentioned in my previous answer the importance of the Upside service, and there are third sector bodies that are involved in the restorative justice work.
Police Scotland Tayside Division (Senior Leadership)
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on any potential impact of prolonged, non-permanent senior leadership within the Police Scotland Tayside division on operational effectiveness, workforce morale and public confidence in local policing. (S6O-05529)
The divisional commander for Tayside is currently undertaking a leadership course. I am sure that the member would welcome Police Scotland ensuring that its senior officers are supported to take up such professional development to ensure continued effective leadership in the organisation.
Although Police Scotland recruitment and deployment is entirely a matter for the chief constable and her executive team, I am aware that an acting chief superintendent has temporarily stepped into the role of divisional commander for Tayside. Policing in Tayside continues to be delivered effectively, with appropriate leadership oversight in place.
The cabinet secretary should know that the issue does not involve only the leader of the Tayside police, because three of the four most senior roles for that division do not have permanent leadership. The vacuum could not have come at a worse time, with the Scottish National Party sending local officer numbers plummeting and crime rising over the past five years in Dundee and Perth and Kinross.
In Dundee alone, drug supply is up by 36 per cent, shoplifting is up by 20 per cent, serious assault and attempted murder are up by 9 per cent and sexual crime is up by 24 per cent. Why does the cabinet secretary think that the appropriate response is to give Tayside the biggest cut in local officers out of any division in Police Scotland?
As I said in my original answer, the deployment of police officers is, by law, entirely a matter for the chief constable. That is detailed in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012.
Police Scotland works to an establishment figure of around 16,500. On 15 January, following the recent recruitment intake, Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs confirmed that there were 16,500-plus officers in the service.
It is important to note that, overall, police-recorded crime in Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Angus has reduced. However, I often make the point that we also have to look at the changing nature of crime. Although some crimes have reduced over the years, others have increased. That speaks to the importance of good local resourcing and response.
Prostitution
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken since 2007 to address prostitution, including legislative measures aimed at tackling demand for paid sex as a means of preventing harm to vulnerable women and girls, and the provision of exit support services for recovery from any complex trauma resulting from prostitution. (S6O-05530)
There is an extensive list of work, which I will try to summarise in the time available. When it comes to legislation, there is the Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Act 2007 and the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015.
As the member was responsible for that area for four years, she will be aware of the 2020 consultation on challenging men’s demand for prostitution, which led to a commitment to developing a model for Scotland that effectively tackles and challenges men’s demand. A short-life working group was set up in November 2021 to support the design of that development, policy principles were published in 2022 and the strategy was published in February 2024. Joint work with Police Scotland on operation begonia started in December 2024 and was adopted nationally in April 2025.
In addition, we are part of a five-jurisdiction group on commercial sexual exploitation that brings together the four United Kingdom nations and the Republic of Ireland. In the draft Scottish budget for 2026-27, further funding has been announced for support services.
The world is recoiling at the sexual exploitation of vulnerable women and children that has been exposed by brave survivors in cases such as those of the grooming gangs and Epstein. However, in Scotland—even within walking distance of this Parliament—men who buy sexual access to vulnerable women do so with complete impunity.
For 19 years, a Government whose equally safe strategy defines prostitution as violence against women has refused to criminalise the men who perpetrate that violence. That is not caution but complicity.
Survivors, front-line services, Police Scotland and very senior legal voices have repeatedly demanded action on reducing demand, yet the minister ignores them and offers only more consultations and commissions. A minister who admits that she has done no work in that area has been asleep at the wheel of her portfolio.
Could we have a question, please, Ms Regan?
Will the minister now apologise to survivors and resign over the complete failure of her political duty to act on expert advice?
The Scottish Government is focused on the delivery of our strategic approach to challenging demand for prostitution, including work with Police Scotland to support the implementation of its national approach on prostitution.
As the member knows, we have already set out the unequivocal position that prostitution is violence against women and girls and that the purchase of sex should be criminalised. [Interruption.] The member is aware of the reasons why we could not take forward her bill. Further, we will take forward the Criminal Justice Committee’s recommendation that an independent commission be established to consider the issues that were raised throughout stage 1 of that bill and inform future legislation in which the Parliament can have confidence.
That concludes portfolio questions on justice and home affairs. To allow front-bench teams to change position, there will be a short pause before the next item of business.
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