Current status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 3 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to reassure communities and armed forces groups that the preservation and protection of war memorials remains a ministerial priority.
Protecting and preserving war memorials remains a priority demonstrated through ongoing support, including funding from Historic Environment Scotland to the War Memorials Trust, and through the ability for sites to be considered for listing or designation. More broadly, Ministers remain committed to ensuring that service personnel, veterans and their families can access the support and services they need, reflected in their commitment to the UK Veterans Strategy.
On the protection afforded to war memorials from damage by the criminal law, Ministers can reassure communities and armed forces groups that existing law already allows such offences to be prosecuted, that current offences available to independent prosecutors includes a common law offence of malicious mischief where the sentencing powers are unlimited and that the court and prosecutors already take into account community impact and trauma as highlighted in evidence to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee during consideration of the Desecration of War Memorials (Scotland) Bill in the last session. Additionally, Ministers will be making decisions on further action and in that context, Ministers welcome representations - including from Members - on further action.