Chamber and committees

Multi-agency exercising in Scotland is not co-ordinated by the Scottish Government and is the responsibility of the services themselves to ensure that lessons are identified and learned.

However, Scottish Government has recently been working with partner agencies in the development and delivery of a programme of exercises to test both the emergency response and the consequence management processes in the event of terrorist incidents. This is a two year programme of exercising regionally across Scotland which will deliver fifteen exercises by the end of Financial Year 2026-27.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 is a reserved piece of legislation that is the responsibility of UK Government to implement. Scottish Government has been supporting the implementation of this legislation in Scotland through holding meetings and organising Webinars for interested parties, including Local Authorities. Scottish Government officials have met with Local Government representatives to discuss the impact of the legislation in Scotland. There is no funding being provided specifically for the 2025 Act in order to implement the legislation.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 is a reserved piece of legislation that is the responsibility of UK Government to implement. Scottish Government has been supporting the implementation of this legislation in Scotland through holding meetings and organising Webinars for interested parties, including Local Authorities such as Glasgow City Council. Scottish Government officials have met with Local Government representatives to discuss the impact of the legislation in Scotland.

The provision of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation is the responsibility of Local Authorities and event providers in order to secure the safety of public spaces.

The Scottish Government has engaged with Local Authorities regarding their responsibility in their areas, and have provided advice and sign posted guidance provided by the UK Technical Authorities and Counter-Terrorism Policing. As part of the Protect strand of CONTEST, the Scottish Government is working with local partners and emergency services to develop opportunities to share solutions and good practice.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 is a reserved piece of legislation that is the responsibility of UK Government to implement. Scottish Government has been supporting the implementation of this legislation in Scotland through holding meetings and organising Webinars for interested parties, including Local Authorities. Scottish Government officials have met with Local Government representatives to discuss the impact of the legislation in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01030 on 6 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 regularly discusses Counter-Terrorism preparedness with our emergency services through the CONTEST strategy structures in Scotland.

The capacity of armed policing and the availability of resources in Greater Glasgow is entirely an operational matter for the Chief Constable.

Work is continuing at pace to establish the inquiry. Detailed Terms of Reference are currently being developed, informed by ongoing discussions with Professor Jay, and these will be published in due course.

I would also reiterate that it is not appropriate for Ministers to direct an independent inquiry Chair in relation to its duration or costs. Professor Jay has made clear her intention to deliver the inquiry at pace, while retaining the necessary flexibility to examine all areas within its remit. Decisions regarding the timing and frequency of the inquiry’s findings will be a matter for Professor Jay.

The Scottish Government does not hold funding information for Walking Scotland (formerly Paths for All) on a monthly basis, as funding is awarded and managed on an annual programme basis. The following table sets out the Transport Scotland programmes and annual funding allocations by financial year: