Current status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 4 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6F-04638 by John Swinney on 5 February 2026, and his commitment to contact the Highland Council regarding the funding of domestic abuse services in the Highlands, whether it has made this contact since then, and, if so, whether it will provide an update on any discussions.
I wrote to the Chief Executive of Highland Council on 11 February 2026, highlighting the concerns raised with the First Minister in relation to funding and future operational models of domestic abuse services in the Highlands. I requested Highland Council consider engaging with cross-party MSPs in the Highlands, to better understand the challenges and how they can be resolved.
We continue to encourage local authorities to utilise the joint COSLA and Scottish Women’s Aid guidance on good practice in commissioning specialist domestic abuse services.