Chamber and committees

I thank Ms Chapman for highlighting these complex challenges on behalf of her constituents. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, particularly people from marginalised groups, gets the access to justice that they need.

However, the current legislative framework does not guarantee access to legal advice and representation. Solicitors decide whether to undertake legal aid cases and, if they do, which clients or cases to accept. It is important to note that the Scottish Government cannot compel solicitors to take on a case. As I have already noted, the on-going reforms aim to improve the situation, and solicitor availability will be considered as part of any future changes to the system.

No, and we are all aware of the timetable for this parliamentary session. There have been many members’ bills as well as Government ones. I have been engaging with the legal profession for nearly three years now, and I have ensured that we will take forward legal aid reform in the next parliamentary session. In the meantime, there is a lot of secondary legislation going ahead now that will be delivered in this parliamentary session.

Thank you, Presiding Officer, and I thank Clare Adamson for highlighting that aspect. It is something that we could all be doing in our constituencies and our regions.

As I was saying, beyond policing, members will recognise that this is a complex challenge, so we are acting in other areas, too. For example, with regard to delivery platforms, several members have raised legitimate concerns about the behaviour of some riders in the food economy. Jim Fairlie and I have reached out to the major delivery companies to discuss expectations with regard to safety, compliance and responsible conduct. I should say that we have just done that, and we are waiting for them to get back to us about having a meeting with them. In any case, companies operating in Scotland are expected to play their part in keeping our streets and communities safe.

As members will know, the Government has undertaken national communication activities to complement local efforts, and statutory local antisocial behaviour strategies, which are the responsibility of councils and Police Scotland, can encompass tackling e-bike and e-scooter misuse, too, as well as preventative work. Members will agree that investment in prevention can help to address the underlying causes of the behaviours that members have described. That is why we continue to invest in the cashback for communities programme, which has provided crucial early intervention to more than 15,000 young people.

I am aware that I am running out of time, so I will move on to the key issue of product safety. As many members will know, many of the most dangerous e-bikes entering the market are imported; they are high-powered models that do not comply with UK standards, and my officials are working with the Office for Product Safety and Standards as it implements the new Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 and strengthens controls. Although the Scottish and UK Governments differ on some issues—for example, licensing for off-road vehicles—there is significant common ground, and I want to work constructively on this shared challenge where we can.

Let me address the specific point in Sue Webber’s motion about face coverings—

I thank Sue Webber for bringing the debate to Parliament and all members for their contributions highlighting the dangerous and antisocial use of e-bikes and e-scooters in our communities.

Sue Webber highlighted recent incidents in Edinburgh and also across the UK. Members have highlighted serious concerns, and the Scottish Government shares those concerns. Several members here have been at various meetings on the work that I and minister Jim Fairlie have been doing on this issue all year.

We share members’ concerns about issues including riders travelling well above the speed limit, intimidating conduct, impacts on public confidence and, of course, injuries to people. Police Scotland’s recent partnership with the Royal hospital for children in Glasgow highlighted a rise in serious injuries associated with e-bikes, and that must be addressed. That is why its recent work to share key messages about this issue, whether in person at the hospital, through press or on social media, is so important, particularly as we approach the festive period.

As Monica Lennon highlighted, people should think twice before buying e-scooters or e-bikes for children and should remember that it is illegal to use e-scooters in public spaces in Scotland. Many high-powered vehicles bought online are not legal for use on public roads, so they can be extremely dangerous, especially for our children.

Police Scotland has also made it clear that anyone riding a non-compliant e-bike or e-scooter on the public road is likely to have it seized by officers. Members are well aware that policing in Scotland is operationally independent. However, I agree with colleagues across the chamber that robust police action is a critical part of the response to the illegal use of or action resulting from e-bikes and e-scooters.

Of course, if anyone feels threatened or unsafe in public places, they should contact the police. We have sought views from Police Scotland on whether further powers might be required in relation to the criminal use of face coverings, and we have been advised that, at this time, additional powers are not needed. However, we will keep the legislation under review.

In closing, I thank members for their contributions. I commit to ensuring that the issues that have been raised are discussed with the SPA and Police Scotland, and to engaging with members as we address this challenge and maintain our collective focus on keeping people safe.

It is a complex issue. We are looking at all off-road and on-road vehicles, anyone using these vehicles in parks or on roads, and delivery drivers, too.

Police Scotland is carrying out work on its vehicle seizure and disposal powers, including the retention period that I know that members have raised in our on-going meetings, and we are working closely with key stakeholders to understand the current landscape. That work will build on changes that the Home Office is exploring with regard to reserved legislation on vehicle seizure. Indeed, I think that a consultation on that has recently finished.

I reassure members that I and Mr Fairlie will continue to ensure that Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority are fully aware of the concerns being brought to Parliament. Members have expressed a desire for a robust policing approach across Scotland that will reduce unwarranted variation. That expectation is entirely reasonable; indeed, ministers are reflecting it in discussions with both the SPA and Police Scotland.

Beyond policing, members will recognise that this is a complex challenge, and I can say that we are acting in other areas, too.

We have on-going conversations with Police Scotland. That specific issue has not been highlighted to me, but I will be happy to discuss it with Pam Duncan-Glancy as we take this forward.

Yes. I was going to get to that issue, but I will raise it now. I think that it was raised during general question time last week. The issue is really complex. It is about deciding how we should approach it, because the situation is different in rural areas and in cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh.

For example, City of Edinburgh Council has led the way with a multi-agency approach, although I believe that the focus was more on the use of quad bikes and motorbikes in parks and green spaces. The approach taken elsewhere could be very different, and there will be variations in what different councils can do, but that council could be leading the way with that example of a multi-agency approach. After all, I do not believe that this is a matter just for Police Scotland; there has to be a joined-up approach, and I think that some learning can definitely be taken from what the City of Edinburgh Council did last week.

I just want to mention a few examples that members have highlighted today. When I and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity met His Majesty’s chief inspector of constabulary on the antisocial use of vehicles several weeks ago, we discussed HMICS’s recent review of roads policing, as well as the powers that Police Scotland officers have in relation to the antisocial use of e-bikes and other vehicles. I was pleased to note that a planned review of community policing is to take place next year, and I encourage anyone who might have useful evidence to engage with the inspector on that.

We also discussed officers’ work with colleagues at the Royal hospital for sick children, which has seen a significant increase in injuries relating to antisocial use of these vehicles. I and Mr Fairlie will meet the chief inspector again in the new year to get a deeper understanding of work that is happening on the ground.

With regard to members’ comments on Police Scotland’s powers, throughout the year we have had discussions with the police, in which they have advised that the current 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 we are open to further legislation action, if required.

I am just conscious that I am coming up to the seven-minute mark, Presiding Officer. Will I get this time back?

There is absolutely no place for prejudice, discrimination or racism in Scotland. The First Minister reinforced that message at the weekend, at the Scottish Trades Union Congress St Andrew’s day march and rally to stand up against racism, when he committed this Government to tackling prejudice, rooting out racism and leaving no community marginalised, isolated or vulnerable.

I am sure that Ms Harper will be pleased to hear that the Scottish Government and the STUC have launched the united workplaces project, which is backed up by £200,000 of Government funding, to support trade unions to promote equality and diversity in the workplace, to challenge discrimination and to build stronger links with communities.

I will ask the Minister for Equalities to write to the member regarding conversations with the UK Government.