Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business
The next item of business is portfolio questions. The first portfolio this afternoon is constitution, external affairs and culture, and parliamentary business.
Independence (Democratic Infrastructure)
To ask the Scottish Government, as part of its work to further the case for Scottish independence, what specific actions it is taking to strengthen Scotland’s democratic infrastructure, authority and state-building preparations to ensure that the Scottish Parliament could become the legislature of an independent Scotland. (S6O-04834)
Scotland already has much of the infrastructure and institutions that make it well placed to become an independent state. The Scottish Parliament is a vibrant, dynamic and evolving democratic institution, representing the people of Scotland. We also have recent experience of developing new bodies to serve the people of Scotland, including Social Security Scotland, the Scottish National Investment Bank and Revenue Scotland, among others. We have set out the preparatory steps that we will be taking through the “Building a New Scotland” series. More detail on our vision for an independent Scotland is also set out in the series.
We have had years of rhetoric, but there is little readiness. A constitutional convention was promised in the 2021 Scottish National Party manifesto. Civil service preparation and Holyrood’s authority were set out in “Scotland’s Right to Choose: Putting Scotland’s Future in Scotland’s Hands” in 2019, and the “Building a New Scotland” series began in 2022. Fourteen papers were pledged in that series. I believe that I have set out to the chamber what I have thought of them so far, but the final one still has not appeared. Promises are not preparations and paper is not progress. If this Parliament is to be the foundation of an independent state, not just a slogan factory, will the Government now set out how it will run a convention, as promised, this summer, and publish a serious and credible road map to independence?
I am sure, Presiding Officer, that you would wish me to answer the question that has been put in relation to democratic infrastructure. Scotland has a long history of looking beyond its borders to trade, co-operate, learn, innovate and inspire. Our international engagement provides tangible benefits to our people, businesses and institutions. It also forms a key part of our commitment to being a good global citizen by making a positive contribution to addressing global challenges. Our people, businesses, universities and cultural organisations have long benefited from that collaboration and have made significant contributions globally.
Much of that has been captured in the “Building a New Scotland” series, the last of which is still to come, and I commend that to the member for Edinburgh Eastern.
Aside from the fact that the people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly for the union in 2014, does the cabinet secretary accept that the current democratic infrastructure in the Scottish Parliament—with timed speeches, pre-scripted answers and debates for which we have little or no responsibility—is stifling public confidence in democracy? How will that be addressed in the next session of Parliament?
I listened closely to Mr Stewart’s pre-scripted question. I hope that he is re-elected in the next session of Parliament. If that is the case, and if I am fortunate enough to be re-elected, I look forward to listening to questions from him that are not pre-scripted.
There are different customs and practices in different Parliaments. I am not currently reading an answer that has been prepared for me, as everybody can see. I am a strong believer that parliamentarians, whether in government or in opposition, should have the courage of their convictions and be able to make their case without necessarily reading something out at great length. If that is something that other members, including Mr Stewart, would like to start doing, I would look forward to that, too.
Births and Deaths Figures
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the latest births and deaths figures published by National Records of Scotland. (S6O-04835)
Scotland’s changing demographic composition, which in part is driven by deaths continuing to outweigh births, as shown in NRS statistics, has significant implications for our future economy, communities and public services. The Government remains committed to responding to that challenge through delivering our population strategy, which is overseen by the ministerial population task force.
With inward migration as the primary driver of our population growth, we continue to make a strong case to the United Kingdom Government for tailored migration solutions such as our rural visa pilot and the Scottish graduate visa to address Scotland’s distinct needs and ensure that we maintain and grow our working-age population.
With birth rates in Scotland being a reported 3.9 per cent lower than average in the first three months of this year, does the cabinet secretary agree that Scotland continues to grapple with the challenges of a declining birth rate and an ageing population, giving rise to significant workforce troubles and pressures on public services, and specifically increasing demand for health and social care services? Does the cabinet secretary agree that UK immigration policies do not take into account Scotland’s unique circumstances and that it is imperative that we have the powers to introduce a Scottish visa system, akin to the systems that work in Canada, which would help Scotland to grow its population?
I agree with Elena Whitham that the Canadian experience is instructive. Incidentally, there are similar provisions in Australia. I absolutely agree that we need immigration measures that are tailored to Scotland’s distinct needs. If that is possible in those countries, I do not see why it is not possible here.
As a previous chair of the ministerial population task force, I am well aware of Scotland’s demographic challenges and their potential impacts on our economy, communities and public services. All our current population growth comes from inward migration. As a result, we have long made the case that Scotland needs bespoke migration solutions that are tailored to our distinct needs to enable us to adequately address those challenges.
Ukraine (Medical Supplies)
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason medical supplies were sent to Ukraine with a condition that they be used for civilian purposes only. (S6O-04836)
The Ukrainian Government specifically requested humanitarian assistance for the healthcare of its citizens and provided a list of requirements, which the Scottish Government looked at in order to source via the national health service.
The medical equipment was transported by the International Committee of the Red Cross, an established humanitarian aid partner, to assist hospitals throughout the war-torn country. The equipment was provided as official development assistance, which cannot be spent on military aid, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Scotland, along with the United Kingdom as a whole, adheres to that rule.
The Scottish Government fully supports Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s illegal invasion and, alongside the UK Government, has provided direct aid for Ukraine’s defence.
Angus Robertson is hiding behind words, as usual. Are cases in which Ukrainian soldiers are injured in defence of their country not humanitarian aid cases? Despite our country’s united support for Ukraine, the Scottish National Party Government has managed to tie up vital medical equipment in bureaucracy.
Angus Robertson said that he supports Ukraine, but his Government has imposed conditions that mean that wounded Ukrainian soldiers cannot be treated with Scottish-donated equipment. That is, frankly, a scandal. Will the cabinet secretary take the opportunity to put the record straight? Will he act today to lift the restrictions on the use of that equipment and let our medical aid simply do what it was meant to do: save lives?
Stephen Kerr will be well aware of my long-standing support for the provision of military and humanitarian support to Ukraine. Given what he has just said, he might want to reflect on this: I can give him the assurance that the medical supplies that are distributed to Ukrainian hospitals will be used to treat all patients, both civilian and military.
I hope that Mr Kerr understands that we responded to a request by the Ukrainian Government. We received a letter from General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, who, as I am sure Mr Kerr will know, was the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces.
He said:
“The act of generosity and solidarity demonstrated by NHS Scotland in extending a helping hand to Ukraine in its time of need exemplifies the true spirit of humanity and compassion ... The Ukrainian people are deeply grateful for the support and assistance provided by NHS Scotland, knowing that these supplies will make a difference between life and death for many.”
I appreciate the cabinet secretary’s clarification. In future, will he consider working with the UK Government on the transport of such medical supplies so that they are sent with no conditions, such as those that the minister set out in his response? It is important that we give the Ukrainian authorities as much flexibility as possible to use the medical supplies in the areas where they are needed.
That was an entirely sensible contribution from Willie Rennie. He will be aware that funding to the tune of £65 million has already been provided by the Scottish Government as part of the UK’s military aid for Ukraine programme, which helps provide state-of-the-art equipment, including sophisticated air defence systems and thousands of pieces of vital kit for Ukrainian service personnel.
Willie Rennie understands the point that some others do not, which is that aid is provided to Ukraine through different routes: direct military aid, humanitarian aid and other routes. Rules are in place, which depend on which organisation transports the aid and under which spending heading it is sent—in this case, it has been sent under overseas development aid. I can give Willie Rennie and others the assurance that we want to ensure that everybody in Ukraine gets the aid—civilian or military—that they require. We will consider such things very closely as a Scottish Government, because we support Ukraine in its fight against the illegal invasion by Russia.
Question 4 is from Stephanie Callaghan, who joins us remotely.
Gaza (Humanitarian Aid)
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its provision of funding for humanitarian aid, when it last engaged with the United Kingdom Government in relation to the on-going humanitarian crisis in Gaza. (S6O-04837)
We receive regular briefings from United Nations agencies, the Disasters Emergency Committee and our humanitarian emergency fund panel members. Most recently, I wrote to the UK Government this week to seek information on UK export licences to Israel, in support of our consistent calls for an end to licensed arms exports to Israel.
The severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is being exacerbated by on-going conflict and a blockade that is restricting aid to Gaza, is devastating. The international community, including the United Kingdom, must act now.
The £1.3 million in humanitarian funding for Gaza and the wider region that the Scottish Government has contributed since the outset of the current conflict has been provided from our own budget. That funding is additional to that which the UK Government has contributed.
UN Women’s latest analysis reports that more than 28,000 women and girls have been killed by Israeli forces—that is an average of one every hour. A UN commission has documented Israel’s use of gender-based sexual and reproductive violence as a strategy of war, including attacks on reproductive healthcare facilities. Does the cabinet secretary share my concern that the UK Government’s continued arms exports to Israel, including F-35 components, undermine efforts towards a sustained humanitarian response and de-escalation? Will the Scottish Government reiterate its call for an immediate and unconditional end to those exports, which are being used to commit grave violations against women and girls, as well as all of Gaza’s people?
Civilians in Gaza are being bombed and left to starve by Israel on a massive scale. The impact on women and girls is horrific, as the UN commission’s independent inquiry set out in such harrowing clarity. Women and girls in Gaza cannot by any stretch of the imagination be considered responsible for Hamas’s atrocities on 7 October 2023, which also included horrific violence against women and girls, as noted by an earlier report by the commission.
Scottish ministers have consistently called on the UK Government to end all licensed arms exports to Israel. The UK Government’s decision to suspend some arms licences was welcome, but it should go further. The UK Government Secretary of State for Business and Trade said:
“there is a clear risk that military exports to Israel, where used for military operations in Gaza, might be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law”.
For that reason alone, all licensed arms exports should stop.
Conditions in Gaza are appalling, with 470,000 people facing catastrophic hunger and reports of desperate Gazans being shot while trying to access life-saving aid. Has the cabinet secretary discussed with colleagues what further actions can be taken, within devolved powers, to end the suffering? Will he provide an update on revised guidance for Scottish Enterprise human rights checks?
That work is in progress. In answer to Foysol Choudhury’s question about on-going discussions on the situation in Gaza, I can confirm that, tomorrow, I am meeting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. If UNRWA has specific asks about supplying aid to Gaza, I am sure that members across the chamber will be interested in learning about them, and I will be happy to share that information with members.
Foysol Choudhury will understand that the response to the situation in Gaza is mostly a reserved function. I wish that that was not the case—I wish that Scotland was able to impose an arms export ban, but we cannot. Therefore, I urge him to use his good offices to ask his colleagues in the UK Labour Government to do the decent thing and end all arms export licences to Israel.
Rural Museums
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it supports rural museums. (S6O-04838)
The Scottish Government has increased funding for Museums Galleries Scotland from £2.7 million in 2024-25 to £4.27 million in 2025-26. Through that additional funding, not only has a new capital fund been created but MGS’s small grants fund will open to non-accredited museums for the first time. A brand-new museums capacity and support programme will also launch shortly. It will provide £4 million of Scottish Government funding to support museums across Scotland as they innovate and test new ways of working that will sustain those vital organisations for years to come.
As the former MP for Moray, the cabinet secretary will know that museums in rural areas such as Moray are important amenities for residents and bring visitors to local communities.
Thanks to the hard work of staff, Elgin museum is partially reopening this summer, and plans to reopen the Falconer museum in Forres, which holds an incredible collection of works from a contemporary of Darwin, are moving forward. Like national museums, those facilities are essential to communities and schools. Will the cabinet secretary join me in thanking all those people who are working to support those museums and helping to protect them against rising costs? What greater support can the Scottish Government offer to ensure their long-term future?
Tim Eagle is absolutely right. I know both the Elgin museum and the Falconer museum and know them to be excellent—I would highly recommend them to anybody who has not been to visit them. I put on record my appreciation to everybody who is involved in the running of those fine institutions and draw their attention, through Tim Eagle, to the new museums capacity and support programme.
Funding is there. It was voted through in the budget, which Tim Eagle did not vote for—I will perhaps persuade him to vote for next year’s budget. However, I am sure that he can pass on the good news that the Scottish Government has delivered that extra aid and that museums will be able to apply for it.
As the cabinet secretary might be aware, Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath, which is one of the many excellent and very active historical societies in my constituency, is working to open a new heritage hub at sgoil Chàirinis. Can the cabinet secretary say anything at present about what further support will be available to community organisations such as local museums and historical societies, particularly in Scotland’s Gaelic heartlands, in the light of last week’s passing of the Scottish Languages Bill?
Although I cannot say anything further at present about specific support related to the Scottish Languages Bill, I can say in relation to sgoil Chàirinis and Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath that I am pleased that the Scottish Government’s Gaelic team was able to provide important capital funding in 2024-25 for renovation work in the old school. That renovation work at Chàirinis is proceeding, and the Scottish Government’s Gaelic team would be happy to consider a further bid in 2025-26. As the member is aware, further significant Scottish Government capital support was provided for the impressive Cnoc Soilleir centre in South Uist, and phase 2 of the building is making good progress.
I thank the cabinet secretary for his letter in response to my concerns about rural museums and the cost of displaying delicate articles that need environmental protection, such as the tapestries at Dean castle in my South Scotland region. In the light of the cabinet secretary’s role and the many contacts that he has in the sector, would he be able to support the possibility of capturing data on the specific reason for the removal of items from public display?
In the spirit of my answer to Alexander Stewart’s question earlier, I must confess that I am not aware of that area but I would be happy to ask my officials whether there is any such data, and, if there is not, whether it would be possible to compile it and whether that would be commensurate with the challenge that has been identified.
I am happy to be informed about the issue, because I am a strong supporter of our museum network around the country. We want the best displays in all museums, do we not? Therefore, I will take the encouragement from the member and reply to her in due course.
Overseas Aid
To ask the Scottish Government what restrictions it places on the use of its overseas aid. (S6O-04839)
The Scottish Government spends official development assistance in line with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s development assistance committee guidance, as do other OECD members, including the United Kingdom. The OECD specifies that, to be counted as overseas development assistance, such funding cannot be spent on military aid. All grants are made subject to legally binding agreements through the issuance of a model offer letter that contains conditions.
Standard Scottish Government grant conditions will control a range of key issues relevant to the use of grant funding. Those include the purpose for which the grant has been allocated, payment of and reporting on the grant, data protection, termination, default and recovery of the grant, and issues such as safeguarding requirements.
As my colleague Stephen Kerr highlighted in his question, it was reported in The Times earlier this month that the Scottish Government prevented the aid that was sent to Ukraine from being used to treat injured Ukrainian soldiers. Were the same conditions placed on the funding that the Scottish Government provided to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for use in Gaza? Given the concerns over that organisation that led to the Government suspending aid to UNRWA, can the cabinet secretary assure Parliament that no funding from the Scottish Government was used, or is being used, to treat those fighting for Hamas? Will he seek assurances from UNRWA when he meets it tomorrow on that issue?
I am sorry that Mr Halcro Johnston did not have the opportunity to update his question, given the answer that I gave to his colleague, who is sitting right next to him.
I am sure that Mr Halcro Johnston will have heard me say that all humanitarian assistance that is provided to Ukrainian hospital facilities can be used for any patient in the hospital. The notion that what is being talked about is the denial of support—[Interruption.] I am sorry, but I wrote down what Mr Halcro Johnston said, which was “not treat Ukrainian soldiers”. People who are in receipt of medical treatment in hospitals that are being provided with humanitarian assistance will receive that treatment, regardless of whether they are civilians.
So, Hamas could be—
Cabinet secretary, please resume your seat.
The question has been asked. The cabinet secretary is addressing the question, and I do not want any sedentary contributions. Please show courtesy and respect to the member who has the floor, who is the cabinet secretary.
In answer to—[Interruption.]
I have made the point that, under our standing orders, we need to show courtesy and respect to the member who has the floor. The member who has the floor is neither of the two gentlemen who are looking at me now—it is the cabinet secretary.
I was just about to say that it is remarkable to be heckled before one even says anything.
Cabinet secretary, we are running short of time. Please just get to your answer.
Indeed. I am meeting representatives from UNRWA tomorrow, and I will be happy to raise the issues that Mr Halcro Johnston raised in the second part of his question.
Independence (Discussions with UK Government)
To ask the Scottish Government, as part of its work to further the case for Scottish independence, what discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government in relation to the Prime Minister’s reported comments that he does not believe that there will be another independence referendum during his Administration and that nobody is raising this with him as their first priority, in light of reports that recent polling shows support for independence at over 50 per cent. (S6O-04840)
I can confirm that Scottish Government ministers consistently engage with our ministerial counterparts in the UK Government to deliver our policy agenda. The Scottish Government is absolutely clear that it is only through the full powers of an independent Scotland that we will be able to meet many of our core policy aims and deliver on the things that matter most to the people of Scotland. Mr McMillan is right that, in recent months, polling has shown that a clear majority in Scotland are in favour of Scottish independence.
During last year’s UK election, Labour promised voters change. However, since coming to power, it has adopted Tory austerity as its own policy, failed to scrap the two-child benefit cap limit, announced plans to remove benefits from disabled people and introduced a jobs tax for employers with the increase in employer national insurance contributions. It is therefore no surprise that 50 per cent of the population want an independence referendum and support independence.
In light of the Prime Minister’s reported comments, will the cabinet secretary encourage those who are in favour of independence to write to the Prime Minister to show their support for it? What discussions has the Scottish Government had with the UK Government with regard to setting out the process for Scotland to reclaim its independence?
Mr McMillan is absolutely right to point out that, sadly, the UK Labour Government is continuing with significant areas of austerity and now plans to target the disabled, which all the Labour members should be deeply embarrassed about.
On the question of Scotland having a democratic vote about its future, I do not think that any democrat or parliamentarian should be pooh-poohing the right of the people to make a decision about their own country’s future. The majority of members of the Scottish Parliament were elected on a mandate that there should be a referendum, and a referendum there should be.
On the issue of another referendum, we now know that dozens of anonymous pro-independence online accounts calling for another referendum went dark on 12 June after the Israeli air force took out Iranian cyber infrastructure. Does it not concern the Scottish Government that its central policy objective is being actively backed by the terrorist state of Iran as part of its campaign to weaken the United Kingdom?
Mr Fraser should be very careful about seeking to smear people in this country who believe that it should be a sovereign state. That position is held by the majority of people elected to the Scottish Parliament, and it is beneath the member to seek to smear a majority in Parliament, notwithstanding our differences on the issue.
Gaza (Humanitarian Aid)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what support it is providing for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. (S6O-04841)
Since the onset of the current conflict, the Scottish Government has contributed £1.3 million in humanitarian funding for Gaza and the wider region. That includes £750,000 through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in December 2023 and £550,000 for the middle east through the Disasters Emergency Committee, Mercy Corps and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund. The latter figure includes the further £300,000 that was announced at the end of April.
I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for that response. Last month, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs—OCHA—Tom Fletcher, made an immensely powerful contribution at the UN Security Council. He described Israel’s plans for aid distribution as
“a cynical sideshow. A deliberate distraction. A fig leaf for further violence and displacement”.
Just this week, his colleague Jonathan Whittall described the situation. He said:
“What we are seeing is carnage. It is weaponized hunger. It is forced displacement. It’s a death sentence for people just trying to survive.
It appears to be the erasure of Palestinian life.”
Will the cabinet secretary join me, the UN and many others in condemning Israel’s deliberate starvation of the people of Gaza, the shameful killing of hundreds of Palestinians who are simply waiting for food, and does he agree that the job of getting aid to starving people in Gaza should be done by UN agencies and trusted non-governmental organisations, not by mercenaries masquerading as humanitarian workers?
I agree entirely with Humza Yousaf, and I commend him for his leadership on this issue. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is, frankly, a travesty. More than 400 Palestinians have now lost their lives while desperately trying to access the tiny amounts of food that are being distributed. Israel’s plan to entrust the distribution of aid in Gaza to private contractors has failed, with millions across the enclave at imminent risk of famine.
The situation is entirely man-made and preventable. Huge quantities of essential humanitarian aid are sitting on the borders, waiting to be delivered by established humanitarian actors with a proven track record of distributing it at scale in an effective, safe and dignified manner through more than 400 distribution points across the Gaza Strip. Those actors, who are best equipped to deliver life-saving aid, are being obstructed from doing their work. Without safe, co-ordinated access, the crisis will only worsen.
That concludes portfolio questions on the constitution, external affairs and culture and parliamentary business. My apologies to the one member I was not able to squeeze in with a supplementary.
Justice and Home Affairs
The next portfolio is justice and home affairs. I remind members that questions 4 and 6 have been grouped. I will take any supplementaries on those questions after the substantive questions have been asked and answered.
I remind members of our very busy agenda this afternoon. My ability to get in supplementaries will be wholly dependent on members being brief with their questions and ministers being brief with their answers.
Alcohol Monitoring Technology
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of any plans to introduce continuous alcohol monitoring technology for offenders across Scotland. (S6O-04842)
We continue to develop the electronic monitoring service and are committed to expanding its use. We will continue to investigate the role that alcohol monitoring technology could play within the service. As part of that, we are considering how this technology might be used within our justice system, and its potential benefits.
The cabinet secretary will know full well that 35 per cent of violent crimes in 2023-24 were carried out under the influence of alcohol. Ministers have had the power to roll out alcohol tags since 2019 but, so far, they have not done so.
In England and Wales, the use of alcohol tags has resulted in more than 97 per cent of offenders staying sober, and the reoffending rates have been cut by 33 per cent. Moreover, Police Scotland, Victim Support Scotland, Community Justice Scotland and the Government’s own electronic monitoring working group have all backed the use of the technology. When will the Scottish Government acknowledge the conclusive evidence that the technology works, and when will it finally roll out alcohol tags?
I very much acknowledge the potential of alcohol monitoring tags, and the member is absolutely correct regarding the statistic that she quoted. The proportion of violent crime involving alcohol has reduced from 63 per cent to 35 per cent.
Nonetheless, I will proceed with the priorities that I have already laid out to the Parliament. In the first instance, I will pursue global positioning system functionality, because that has benefits for managing problematic drinking due to the additional capabilities in relation to monitoring locations, including exclusion zones. However, alcohol monitoring tags absolutely have a role to play.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that home detention curfews should be used as a tool to reintegrate offenders to their communities, manage the release of individuals from short custodial sentences, and reduce the prison population and reoffending?
Yes. HDC provides a useful opportunity for suitable prisoners to serve the last period of their custodial sentence in the community under licence conditions, and an electronically monitored curfew is a well-established part of custodial sentences with a high level of successful completion. It can be granted only to prisoners who pass a robust risk assessment and a community assessment.
Violence Against Women
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle violence against women. (S6O-04843)
We are committed to implementing “Equally Safe: Scotland’s Strategy for Preventing and Eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls”. This includes work to prevent violence from occurring in the first place, build the capacity of support services and strengthen the justice response to victims and perpetrators.
Through our delivering equally safe fund, this year we will invest £21.6 million to support 115 projects from 107 organisations throughout every local authority in Scotland. Their activity covers a range of areas, including tackling domestic abuse, sexual abuse, honour-based violence, intimate image abuse and commercial sexual exploitation.
We are facing an epidemic of violence against women. Recorded crime statistics show that sexual crime, rape and domestic abuse continue to increase unabated. Indeed, the statistics for domestic abuse are the highest ever. All the while, perpetrators of some aspects of violence against women, such as commercial sexual exploitation, face no sanction at all, and yet the Scottish Government has shelved its misogyny bill and appears to be taking no action to protect women from violence. Will the Government now commit to introduce a bill that protects women against misogyny and back Ash Regan’s unbuyable bill in the hope of turning the tide on this abhorrent crime?
I met Ash Regan last week. As I said to the member, I think only a couple of weeks ago, the Scottish Government is not opposed to the intent behind the bill. As with all members’ bills, we will give the bill full and careful consideration and take into account the Parliament’s scrutiny of it. When I met Ms Regan last week, I raised some of the Scottish Government’s concerns. My officials will engage with stakeholders on the bill, and I look forward to the committee evidence sessions.
Ensuring that Scotland operates a trauma-informed justice system must be a priority to improve the experience of victims. Does the minister agree that establishing a sexual offences court through the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill is crucial in reaching that objective?
I completely agree. Without a stand-alone court that embeds specialist approaches to the management of cases, our efforts to embed a trauma-informed system for victims of sexual violence in the justice system would be at risk. As the member knows, the Criminal Justice Committee has heard from senior members of the judiciary, the Lord Advocate, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Rape Crisis Scotland and Victim Support Scotland, who all gave the view that the sexual offences court has the potential to be transformative. I suggest that those expert voices are listened to.
Violence can affect women and girls of any age. With youth violence on the rise, we see more and more examples of boys behaving violently towards girls. Earlier this month, I attended a conference that was hosted by Beira’s Place in Edinburgh, where speakers spoke about the prevalence of coercive control in teen relationships. However, they also stressed that education is key—
Ask a question.
—in identifying disturbing behaviour and patterns. Does the minister agree that domestic abuse education should be provided in schools as standard?
Education is vital. This is the crux of the problem. If we are going to change societal behaviour, it must start with education.
Police Dog Zara
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding the decision to euthanise police dog Zara in December last year and the subsequent review by the force. (S6O-04844)
As the member is aware, operational policing decisions are the responsibility of the chief constable, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. However, when I discussed Police Scotland’s approach to animal welfare with the chief constable at one of our regular meetings on 27 February, she assured me that the welfare of police animals is of paramount importance, and that decisions that are taken on animal wellbeing and welfare are informed by the advice of veterinary professionals.
I understand that Police Scotland is currently undertaking a review of its processes around decisions on situations of this nature.
The circumstances around the decision to put down police dog Zara are bad enough, but the cover-up from the very top of Police Scotland is just as bad. Originally, it defended its decision by saying that the outlook for the dog was so bad that she had to be put down. It refused to issue her notes, but they were uncovered by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, which has stated that police dog Zara’s progress was “great” once she had recovered from surgery. There was then an independent investigation, which was led by the very inspector who took the decision to put the dog down.
Does the cabinet secretary accept that that is completely wrong? Police Scotland has taken the wrong approach to the issue. It should release all the documents relating to the incident and hold a truly independent investigation, and a statement should be made by the chief constable, Jo Farrell, who has so far been silent on the issue.
Police Scotland has reviewed the decision-making process in and around the case involving police dog Zara, and it has done so in accordance with its policies. I am told that the inspector who carried out the review was not the person who made the decision to euthanise the dog.
I appreciate the member’s interest in the matter, given the nature of the work that police dogs do, but I do not think that I can add any further light on the matter. I suggest that he pursues it with the chief constable.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I apologise—I should have declared an interest. My wife is a serving police officer.
Antisocial Behaviour in Motherwell and Wishaw (Off-road Vehicles)
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with North Lanarkshire Council on addressing antisocial behaviour involving the use of off-road vehicles in Motherwell and Wishaw. (S6O-04845)
Scottish Government safer communities and transport officials have not received any concerns from North Lanarkshire Council on the issue to date. However, I recognise that members who represent North Lanarkshire are concerned about it.
The Government remains committed to working collaboratively with all local authorities, and it has engaged with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities as part of its work on off-road vehicle misuse. COSLA, along with Police Scotland, is represented on the road safety strategic partnership board. We continue to welcome input from local government in helping to inform the Government’s work in that area, which includes supporting a summer safety campaign.
I have been engaging with the local police on the issue. Antisocial use of off-road vehicles is a growing problem in Motherwell and Wishaw. There is particular frustration over the seizure and storage process, whereby vehicles are confiscated and people are able to pay a storage fee and reclaim their vehicle within a matter of days, only for it to be reused for antisocial behaviour. The police have expressed their frustration about that.
What scope is there to strengthen regulations so that, for example, a higher fee for storage might be applied that would act as a deterrent, or for the police to have seize-and-destroy powers in cases of repeat antisocial behaviour?
I recognise the issue and understand the concerns that have been raised by the member and her constituents, which have also been raised with us in the working group.
My officials are working closely with Police Scotland, the Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators, Transport Scotland and wider stakeholders to review the statutory charges for vehicle recovery. Although the levies to which the member referred are a separate issue, I will ensure that officials take them into account as part of that work and engage with Police Scotland on how the system is working, to ensure that our communities can be kept safe from the harm that vehicle misuse causes.
Off-road Vehicles (Community Safety)
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Police Scotland and other public bodies have appropriate powers to tackle the misuse of off-road vehicles and promote community safety. (S6O-04847)
Police Scotland has advised that the powers under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 are sufficient to respond to the misuse of off-road vehicles. However, the Government remains committed to doing all that we can to support enforcement and is open to further legislative action.
Ministers have written to the United Kingdom Government seeking to work jointly to improve powers, including on reserved matters of vehicle registration. Work is also under way to review police vehicle seizure and disposal powers, including the retention period, and we are working closely with key stakeholders to understand the current landscape.
I think that some police officers on the ground might disagree with Police Scotland about whether the powers are sufficient. When Police Scotland confiscates off-road vehicles for inappropriate use, the ease with which owners have them returned is deeply concerning, which I hope that the minister will address, and which Clare Adamson has mentioned previously.
On a more positive note, I thank the minister for agreeing with me that a summer information and safety campaign aimed at promoting the responsible and legal use of off-road vehicles is required. What more details can she provide of any planned initiative for this summer? Will she encourage all users of such vehicles to act in a responsible and legal way and to stay safe?
I can confirm that we will launch two national campaigns this summer to promote responsible and safe off-road vehicle use. The fearless service, which is part of Crimestoppers, has rolled out its be a legend, do it right campaign as part of a broader summer safety campaign that is aimed at young people, and Crimestoppers in Scotland will follow with a public awareness campaign about reporting illegal off-road vehicle use.
I encourage all members to share that material widely. I also pay tribute to Councillor Allan Gow for all his valuable work on the issue.
Youth Violence Summit
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its engagement with stakeholders on violence prevention during its youth violence summit on 12 June. (S6O-04846)
The cross-party meeting provided an opportunity to hear views on what could be done to address young people being affected by violence and, critically, how to prevent violence from happening in the first place. We heard from those who attended that early intervention, through youth work, safe spaces and whole-family support, is key to tackling and preventing youth violence. Building on that, and on what we know is working, we are considering what more we can do to strengthen support for young people and communities.
The rise of social media has arguably increased the accessibility and volume of violent content consumed by young people online. Does the minister believe that projects such as quit fighting for likes can have a positive impact on young people who might be drawn into violence or, indeed, into filming and sharing violence without understanding the impact of the content?
I totally agree with the member. I have heard directly from young people and their families about how that has impacted them. In addition to experiencing physical assault, the filming and sharing of their attack online causes additional suffering. The quit fighting for likes campaign, which was developed by our violence reduction partner organisations, provides practitioners with resources to have conversations with young people and get them thinking about and discussing the impact of filming and sharing violent incidents.
The initial quit fighting for likes campaign last September attracted an average of 80,000 impressions a day through its four-week run, and 6,000 visitors accessed further information. I encourage everyone working with young people to engage with the quit fighting for likes campaign. The more young people who get the opportunity to think about and discuss this important issue the better.
Youth violence, crime and antisocial behaviour are all on the increase, as was confirmed by the figures that were released yesterday. At that summit, the First Minister said that we need effective punishment for offences. I continually raise the issue of the under-25 sentencing guideline. The unintended consequences of that is that criminal gangs are exploiting that policy by targeting young people and involving them in crime, knowing that they will face few or no consequences. Does the minister agree that that needs to change, and will she review that form of two-tier sentencing?
First, I have to correct Ms Dowey. There are consequences for children over the age of 12 and those over the age of 18 who commit offences. Significant action, including the potential to restrict or deprive a child’s liberty, can be taken. Action is not necessarily always visible to victims because of confidentiality or data protection reasons.
I know that the member has attended some of the youth violence summits that were hosted by the First Minister. We had a group of leading experts there who explained to us all that the evidence shows that it is more about prevention. I hope that Ms Dowey would accept that.
As the minister said, early intervention is key. Will she outline what further work is being considered to identify potential young offenders and develop early intervention programmes? In particular, will she respond to concerns about the funding of the no knives, better lives campaign, about which I have written to her, as there are concerns that there have been restrictions on funding in recent years?
I am aware that the Scottish Government is funding several initiatives. I will write to Katy Clark about that in detail. However, I want to highlight the proceeds of the crime cashback for communities programme, which specifically targets youth groups across all Scotland and does great work.
Cashback for communities does, indeed, do great work and, clearly, youth work is part of the response. However, I have spoken with a number of youth groups in my community, including Johnstone Castle Learning Centre, which is locked out of that funding because its income is under £200,000. Most youth groups that we represent in our communities will not have an income of £200,000. What does the minister suggest that they should do to ensure that their life-saving work continues?
I am aware that applications for funding opened last week. I was not aware of that criterion, but I will write to Paul O’Kane, because I am sure that the Scottish Government supports other funding streams for such groups.
Supreme Court Judgment (Scottish Prison Service)
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Prison Service will conclude any work required to ensure that it fully complies with the judgment of the United Kingdom Supreme Court handed down on 16 April 2025 in the case For Women Scotland v the Scottish Ministers. (S6O-04848)
I regularly meet Teresa Medhurst, the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service. Like many public services, the Scottish Prison Service is currently reviewing all policies and practices in consideration of the impacts of the Supreme Court judgment. It is working at pace to ensure that any policies or practices that are impacted are brought into line with the outcome of the judgment and the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s revised code of practice, when that is published, to ensure compliance with the law.
The UK Supreme Court judgment of 16 April 2025 had immediate legal effect. Unconscionably, in my view, and notwithstanding that, the Scottish Prison Service has not yet complied with the judgment. What assessment has been made as to the risk and the possible costs of legal challenge? Surely the cabinet secretary will wish to confirm to the Parliament that the default position should be to comply now with the law as it is.
I say again to the Parliament and to my colleague Annabelle Ewing that the Scottish Government has been crystal clear that we accept the Supreme Court judgment. As a public body, the Scottish Prison Service is required to comply with all relevant legislation including the Equality Act 2010; legislation that relates to the management of people in custody, such as the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 and the Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011; and the Human Rights Act 1998. Of course, all legislation, policy and practice should be consistent with the European convention on human rights.
As I have said previously, the Scottish Prison Service is actively considering and engaged with what changes are needed following the judgment, while continuing to work to keep people safe and protect the rights of people living or working in custody.
For stabbing a man, Alexandria Stewart, formerly known as Alan Baker, is serving a life sentence in Greenock prison’s women’s wing. Lawyer Paul Lynch was forced to ask four times for the criminal record of that offender, whose offences disappeared when they changed their name, due to the self-identification policy that has been in existence. Mr Lynch was told by the Crown Office that Stewart had no previous convictions. Only after Paul Lynch sent a link to an online news story about Baker’s murder conviction was the error rectified.
The policy has done deep damage. Does the cabinet secretary agree that a full investigation should be conducted to ensure that the impact of the policy is fully rectified so that criminal records are disclosed to the courts and are as accurate as they should have been in the first place?
With respect, I note that that was the subject of a topical question last week, and I am of the view that I addressed the matter in full at that point. There was an error on the part of Police Scotland, which it acknowledged. It has put on the record, as I did last week, that it has undertaken a course of action to ensure that policies and procedures work as intended.
Scottish Crime and Justice Survey
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the latest Scottish crime and justice survey, which included for the first time new questions around crimes of fraud and computer misuse. (S6O-04849)
The crime survey shows a substantial fall in violent and property crime since 2008-09, despite a 34 per cent increase since 2021-22. Levels also remain similar to the pre-pandemic position.
We welcome the expansion of the survey to include people’s experiences of fraud and computer misuse. The first results show that one in 10 adults was the victim of those crimes in 2023-24, although most who lost money were reimbursed. We will continue to work with partners on the serious organised crime task force to raise awareness of the risks that exist and of how criminals try to defraud individuals and organisations.
Fraud and computer misuse are estimated to account for more than two fifths of all crimes in the latest year, with almost half of those crimes involving bank and credit card fraud. I hear all too often from constituents about increasingly sophisticated scams that often originate on social media. What steps is the Scottish Government taking to protect the public from those types of crimes?
The Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the National Cyber Security Centre are working together to help to protect organisations from cybercriminals. They do so by identifying fraudulent websites, preventing phishing emails, blocking phone numbers and, ultimately, bringing those who are responsible to justice. Police Scotland has also established a cyber and fraud specialist division to enhance the response in Scotland, working with United Kingdom law enforcement and partner agencies. It will develop capability through cyber and online training, ensuring that there is support and guidance for officers and staff.
I encourage everyone to report suspicious sites to the NCSC using the reporting tool on its website, and I encourage anyone who believes that they have been a victim of crime to contact Police Scotland.
In response to the 2019-20 crime and justice survey, the then justice secretary Humza Yousaf crowed that
“adults in Scotland were less likely to experience crime than those in England and Wales.”
However, the latest survey shows that Scots are now more likely to be a victim of crime in general and twice as likely to be a victim of violent crime than those in England and Wales. After 18 years in charge, does the Government accept any responsibility for those frightening figures? When, if ever, will there be a whole-system strategy to arrest those rising rates?
In Scotland and in England and Wales, there have been substantial falls in victimisation rates for violent and property crime since 2008-09. Prior to 2023-24, Scotland had a violent and property crime victimisation rate that was either lower than or similar to that in England and Wales. However, Scotland’s crime victimisation rate, including fraud, was 19.9 per cent in 2023-24, which is above the equivalent for England and Wales at 16.1 per cent. Findings from the next survey will be needed to understand whether the higher rate this time is a temporary fluctuation. However, prior to that, we remain fully committed to tackling crime in Scotland, including through the delivery of increased police funding year on year since 2016-17.
That concludes portfolio questions.