Chamber and committees

Since February 2026, the Scottish Government has had Roundtable meetings with the following funded organisations who support delivery of the Anti-Racism Delivery Plan, published in March 2026:

• Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS)
• Article 12 in Scotland
• Black and Ethnic Minority Infrastructure Scotland (BEMIS)
• Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER)
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
• Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (CEMVO)
• Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS)
• Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project (MECOPP)

A Terms of Reference for these Roundtables is being developed collaboratively and will be published once agreed.

Separately, a range of different stakeholder organisations are reflecting shared concerns about the nature and extent of protest activity, disorder and incidents of hate, prejudice and intimidation and their impact on faith communities, adversely racialised communities, people seeking asylum and refugees. This is independent of government and there is not a formal or constituted body as such called the Anti-Racism Coalition. These organisations include:

• Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland
• Black and Ethnic Minority Infrastructure Scotland (BEMIS)
• Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER)
• Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (CEMVO)
• Scottish Refugee Council

A range of different stakeholder organisations are reflecting shared concerns about the nature and extent of protest activity, disorder and incidents of hate, prejudice and intimidation and their impact on faith communities, adversely racialised communities, people seeking asylum and refugees. This has been independent of government and there is not a formal or constituted body as such called the Anti-Racism Coalition.

The following organisations that raised concerns represent the diverse experiences of adversely racialised communities in Scotland:

• Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland
• Black and Ethnic Minority Infrastructure Scotland (BEMIS)
• Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER)
• Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (CEMVO)

The Scottish Government is currently reviewing the Antisocial Behaviour (etc.) (Scotland) 2004 Act, and the provisions on the sale of spray paint fall within the scope of that review.

The Scottish Government supports local authorities and Police Scotland, who lead the response to graffiti, in working with communities to prevent and tackle antisocial behaviour. Under the 2004 Act, each local authority and the Chief Constable have a joint duty to prepare and keep under review an antisocial behaviour strategy for their area. Prevention is also supported nationally, including through Phase 7 of CashBack for Communities, which is providing £26 million over three years for projects that steer young people away from crime and antisocial behaviour.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01808 on 21 July 2026. 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.

Helping people with the cost of living is a top priority of this government and we will be taking forward a full consultation on this proposal within the first 100 days. Potential unintended consequences are and mitigations being fully considered as part of the policy development process, informed by engagement and consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

I am pleased to confirm the Scottish Government appointed Dr Lena Gray on the 25 March 2026 to undertake a review into Qualifications Scotland’s arrangements for qualifications quality. The review is a statutory requirement under the Education (Scotland) Act 2025.

Dr Gray’s review has begun and will report in in early 2027.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01808 on 21 July 2026. 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 Scottish Government funds the following organisations who support the delivery of the Anti-Racism Delivery Plan published in March 2026. This is independent of government and there is not a formal or constituted body as such called the Anti-Racism Coalition. These organisations are:

• Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS)
• Article 12 in Scotland
• Black and Ethnic Minority Infrastructure Scotland (BEMIS)
• Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER)
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
• Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (CEMVO)
• Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS)
• Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project (MECOPP)

Since February 2026 there have been four Roundtable meetings with these organisations and the Scottish Government. A Terms of Reference for these Roundtables is being developed collaboratively.

Separately, a range of different stakeholder organisations are reflecting shared concerns about the nature and extent of protest activity, disorder and incidents of hate, prejudice and intimidation and their impact on faith communities, adversely racialised communities, people seeking asylum and refugees.

The Scottish Government remains committed to committed to publishing draft legislative provisions and progressing work on the price cap on essential food items. We have engaged constructively with a range of industry bodies and trade associations, which have shared their views on the proposal. Their expertise and experience are helping to inform our consideration of the policy and will continue to do so as development of the proposal progresses.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01808 on 21 July 2026. 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.