Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government plans to investment £7.53m through the Scottish Safety Camera Programme (“the Programme”) in 2024/25. This is the highest level of investment in the Programme since 2007 and almost double the investment ten years ago in 2014. This acts to ensure safety camera technology continues to deliver its aim of reducing the number of casualties on Scotland’s roads by encouraging improved driver behaviour.

To maximise the casualty reduction potential of the Programme an annual safety camera site prioritisation exercise is undertaken. This robust exercise, which has been undertaken in collaboration between Police Scotland, Transport Scotland and all local road authorities, assessed the performance of approximately 500 existing safety camera sites. This process identified 13 new safety camera sites which are being progressed towards delivery, and that at 119 existing camera sites there had been a sustained positive impact on driver behaviour for a number of years and therefore no longer a priority for camera deployment and being placed into dormancy.

At each of these sites the camera infrastructure and signage will remain in place and a bag displayed over any fixed camera to indicate its non-operational status. This pause allows for a thorough assessment over a three-year period, after which decisions will be made regarding potential decommissioning or reactivation.

Ministers and Scottish Government officials have clearly and comprehensively explained the Scottish Government’s position in relation to these matters to the former panel members and their representatives on numerous occasions dating back several years. A summary of the provided information follows:

- The Children’s Hearings (S) Act 2011 provides that the terms and conditions of children’s panel membership are for the National Convener of Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS). The National Convener’s independence in discharging his functions are set out in the same statute. Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government officials have no role in decisions regarding recruitment, tenure or training of panel members and any departure from that would not be appropriate.

- The National Convener reports to the Board of CHS on the performance of his duties. Any complaints about the National Convener, members of staff within CHS, or CHS policies and procedures, should be directed to the CHS Board.

- The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman has confirmed that the CHS complaints procedure is compliant with their standards. CHS has satisfied itself regarding the suitability of its complaints procedure, including taking external advice. No concerns therefore arise for Scottish Ministers or Scottish Government officials.

The Scottish Government has exhaustively explained the position and has confirmed that there is no appropriate locus for Ministers or officials in these matters, so it would not be appropriate to meet the group.

As a public body, Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) is required to operate its complaints policy in line with the Scottish Public Service Ombudsman (SPSO) model complaints handling procedure. This includes recourse to the SPSO as the final stage for complaints.

The Scottish Government has always recognised the importance of Scotland’s international connectivity. Our ambition is to make Scotland at least as well connected as peer nations. Transport Scotland, in partnership with VisitScotland and Scottish Development International, works to help Scotland’s airports secure new routes that are essential for inbound tourism, business connectivity and the economy as a whole. Recent successes include direct routes from Atlanta, Calgary and Beijing and we look forward to welcoming the arrival of a new airline for Scotland later this month, with JetBlue launching their first ever Scottish service to New York JFK.

Representatives from the cross government partnership recently took part in the route development forum Routes Europe 2024, meeting with a number of airlines to discuss future opportunities and promote Scotland as a market that can sustain more direct connectivity.

The Scottish Government recognises that tax is one factor in airlines’ decision-making on where to fly. We will review the rates and bands of Air Departure Tax prior to the implementation of the tax once a solution to the Highland & Islands exemption has been identified.

This question relates to a recommendation in the report on HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland (HMIPS)’s inspection of the prosecution of summary domestic abuse cases which was instructed by the Lord Advocate and was published on 17 April 2024.

The relevant recommendation is:

Recommendation 9

COPFS should provide clear guidance to staff on when a domestic abuse victim should be informed of a decision to discontinue a case and of their right to request a review of that decision.

The Lord Advocate has accepted this recommendation.

COPFS is commencing work in relation to the areas identified in the HMIPS report and will provide updates on the work undertaken in implementing the recommendations contained within the report in due course.

This question relates to a recommendation in the report on HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland (HMIPS)’s inspection of the prosecution of summary domestic abuse cases which was instructed by the Lord Advocate and was published on 17 April 2024.

The relevant recommendation is:

“Recommendation 1

With regard to training of staff, COPFS should:

(a) review and streamline the content of its domestic abuse training taking into account the target audience [...]”

The Lord Advocate has accepted this recommendation.

COPFS is commencing work in relation to the areas identified in the HMIPS report and will provide updates on the work undertaken in implementing the recommendations contained within the report in due course.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27301 on‎ 17 May 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The recent appointment by the First Minister of his ministerial team has resulted in changes in the ministerial titles of certain Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers. A change in title does not necessarily equate to a change in ministerial responsibilities. International development is now within the portfolio responsibilities of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.

Full information on the roles and responsibilities of the Scottish Ministers is set out on the Scottish Government website ( www.gov.scot ).

Ministerial responsibility for planning, which includes the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), sits with myself.

The Scottish Government remains committed to Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), with funding of £12.9 million invested in 2024-25 to fund Regional Groups and School Coordinators. We will continue to work with the network to explore options for the future in ways that can better support service delivery and improve outcomes for young people.