Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government condemns the incidents of violence, vandalism and antisocial behaviour that took place in Glasgow on Saturday. Any threat to public safety and any damage that was caused as a result of that disorder is not acceptable.

We fully support Police Scotland and other emergency services, and thank them for their response. We also support Glasgow City Council, which was left to clear up the rubbish and damage. I appreciate the help that Celtic fans gave in the aftermath as well as the engagement that has taken place with football clubs to prevent future incidents.

Although the vast majority of fans are well behaved, it is clear that, when a minority are not, there are wide-ranging implications. Governing bodies and individual clubs must consider what measures they can take and how they can use their influence to help to tackle misconduct.

I agree 100 per cent with the member. It is absolutely unacceptable that businesses had to close, that public property was damaged, that people were not able to go about their business and, indeed, that people were injured. There is no reason why a celebration should degenerate into disorder, cause damage to property and result in loss of custom and business, as well as, of course, the cost to the public purse in terms of policing, the national health service response and the clean-up afterwards. Although I do not know the full cost yet for the council, I understand that last year’s clean-up cost amounted to more than £34,000. Police Scotland has confirmed that it will continue to work to identify those who are responsible to bring them to justice.

First, I have been told that it was Manchester City that won down south.

Yes, I can confirm that we will endeavour to work with all authorities to ensure that such events are showcased.

The legal aid system is a national one and it is flexible enough to allow services to be delivered by solicitors around the country to people all around the country. There are numerous ways in which access to solicitors can be facilitated remotely, and funding is available to allow solicitors to travel to rural and remote parts of the country to carry out work, meaning that individuals do not have to rely on local provision alone when seeking publicly funded legal assistance.

We will continue to hold discussions with the legal profession on the main areas of concern in relation to legal aid. Both the Law Society and the SSBA are aware that the offer to re-tender for research remains. Through successful engagement with the legal profession, the Scottish Government has delivered significant investment into the legal aid system over recent years. The most recent package of fee reforms and increases was delivered on 29 April last year and took the total additional funding for legal aid to £31 million since April 2021.

“The Vision for Justice in Scotland: Three Year Delivery Plan” contains an action to reform the legal aid system and to engage with key stakeholders to inform and shape future legislative proposals. Any future proposals will build on the Martyn Evans review recommendations and subsequent public consultation. Officials will engage in a series of stakeholder engagement sessions.

I jointly chair a working group with the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates that has been convened to consider the future of the legal profession in Scotland, and I regularly meet the Law Society and the Faculty of Advocates. I recently met the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association, and provision of legal aid was discussed.

Police Scotland and local authorities have a wide range of powers to tackle antisocial behaviour. We support them in using those powers appropriately and we are investing in prevention and early intervention. Our cashback for communities programme and violence prevention framework take preventative approaches to antisocial behaviour and violence. The current three-year phase of cashback for communities commits £20 million to early intervention work and positive opportunities for young people in communities across Scotland. Our independent expert working group on antisocial behaviour is examining our strategic approach to antisocial behaviour and is considering how we can improve it. The group will report in late 2024.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am sorry, but my app was not working. I would have voted no.

Apologies, Presiding Officer. I would have voted no, but my app was not working.

I thank the member for raising the issue. He will be aware that the vast majority of young people who travel by bus behave appropriately. The legislation that underpins the current schemes does not provide a clear mechanism for cards simply to be removed in cases of antisocial behaviour, and free bus travel is just one of several services that are provided through the card.

Transport Scotland is continuing to explore what deterrents and sanctions may be possible and appropriate in such cases. The member should note that the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 already provides a wide range of measures for dealing with all antisocial behaviour, including dispersal orders, which can be considered by the police, in consultation with the local authority, on an individual or temporary basis.

I make Mr Hoy aware that there has been on-going engagement with Police Scotland and bus companies in recent months involving both the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and me. As I said, Transport Scotland is looking at what to do with the card but not, at the moment, at such a clear mechanism as just taking the card away. We will continue to engage.