Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S7W-03826

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and Healthcare Improvement Scotland Joint Review of Police Custody recommendations, which noted that 45 recommendations had been made to Police Scotland across 10 custody inspection reports, what assessment it has made of progress in implementing those recommendations.

The operation of police custody centres, including decisions relating to risk assessment, observation levels, the management of detainees and release arrangements, are operational matters for Police Scotland under the direction of the Chief Constable.

Furthermore, under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, the Chief Constable is responsible and accountable for the policing of Scotland to the Scottish police Authority (SPA), who are independent of the Scottish Government.

Within this context, Ministers expect Police Scotland and SPA to respond constructively and promptly to recommendations made through relevant inspections and independent scrutiny.

Police Scotland is progressing a programme of reform through its Custody 2030 transformation programme. This programme is expected to define a new operating model that takes account of legislative, operational and technological changes and challenges.

Question reference: S7W-03840

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Police Scotland's Annual Workforce Report identifying concerns regarding assaults, injuries on duty, stress-related absence and grievances, what action it is taking to improve the wellbeing of police officers and staff.

Workforce management is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.

Attacks on our police officers are unacceptable, and the courts have extensive powers to deal robustly with them. Scotland’s police officers do an outstanding job in challenging circumstances, and the Scottish Government recognises the unique pressures and mental health risks associated with policing.

We welcome the work being undertaken by Police Scotland to support the wellbeing of its workforce, as they continue to strengthen prevention, early intervention and access to treatment through a range of measures.

Since 2024, Police Scotland has invested around £2m per year in an occupational health contract to support the health and wellbeing of its workforce.

Question reference: S7W-03832

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Audit Scotland Best Value in Policing audit finding that strategic workforce planning remains underdeveloped, what action it is taking to support the development of a long-term workforce plan for Police Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-03834

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Police Scotland’s Annual Workforce Report stating that improvements in overtime and time off in lieu balances have not been sustained, what assessment it has made of Police Scotland’s continuing reliance on overtime and time off in lieu.

Question reference: S7W-03836

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Police Scotland’s Annual Workforce Report identifying strategic workforce planning as a risk to delivering a sustainable police service, what assessment it has made of Police Scotland’s capacity to meet current and future demand.

Question reference: S7W-03838

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Police Scotland’s Annual Workforce Report identifying officer and staff wellbeing as a workforce risk, what action it is taking to reduce work-related stress, injury and other factors affecting workforce wellbeing.

Workforce management is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.

The Scottish Government recognises the unique pressures and mental health risks associated with policing and welcomes the work being undertaken by Police Scotland to support the wellbeing of its workforce. Police Scotland continues to strengthen prevention, early intervention and access to treatment through a range of measures.

Since 2024, Police Scotland has invested around £2m per year in an occupational health contract to support the health and wellbeing of its workforce.

Question reference: S7W-03831

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Audit Scotland Best Value in Policing audit finding that there is no evidence that the finance-based officer establishment of 16,500 is the right number for future policing, what assessment it has made of the number of police officers required to meet current and future demand.

Question reference: S7W-03839

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Police Scotland's Annual Workforce Report stating that a substantial number of People Strategy and Strategic Workforce Plan milestones have been carried forward between reporting years, what assessment it has made of progress made in delivering Police Scotland's workforce reform programme.

Question reference: S7W-03837

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Police Scotland’s Annual Workforce Report identifying the longstanding increase in officers on modified duties as a workforce risk, what assessment it has made of the impact on operational policing.

Question reference: S7W-03835

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Police Scotland’s Annual Workforce Report stating that workforce capacity continues to be a concern, what assessment it has made of the number of police officers and staff available for operational deployment.