Chamber and committees

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

SPS do not directly capture this information, any formal diagnosis and/or data may be recorded by NHS, as since 2011 healthcare within our prisons has been the responsibility of NHS since 2011. SPS do however recognise the importance of supporting neurodivergence within our population, and our officers are well experienced in supporting a range of needs including neurodivergence within our prisons.

SPS processes on admission help identify individual needs, however they do rely on the individual to self-declare. Additionally, our learning provider, PeoplePlus, carry out initial screening to determine additional needs or supports which will feed into the catalogue of support offered to the individual either through, NHS, education or more generally within the prison setting.

As set out in the answer to question S6W-42445, the Terms of Reference for the Emma Caldwell Inquiry were developed following consultation with the Chair and discussions with relevant parties. The Terms of Reference remain firmly focused on the original investigation into Emma’s death, while being framed with sufficient breadth to enable the Inquiry Chair to consider any wider matters he considers pertinent to the Inquiry. From its setting up date on 9 December 2025, this statutory Public Inquiry is now independent of Ministers and the Chair is responsible for directing the Inquiry to deliver the Terms of Reference.

The Scottish Government received the Full Business Case (FBC) for the Monklands Replacement Project from NHS Lanarkshire on 12 December 2025. This was then shared with NHS Scotland Assure and the West of Scotland Sub-National Assurance Board on 26 and 27 January, respectively, to consider. The Minister for Public Health was briefed by officials on their assessment of the FBC in March prior to the FBC going to the Health and Social Care Management Board on 25th March 2026.

Thereafter the Scottish Parliament was in recess and the Government entered the pre-election period. On formation of the new Government Ministers assessed the FBC and value for money case and informed Parliament ahead of summer recess of the decision to pause and redesign the FBC to ensure it brings value for money for the public purse and delivers a new Monklands Hospital for the benefit of the people of Lanarkshire.

The Scottish Government works in close partnership with stakeholders to tackle hatred and prejudice in all of its forms to ensure proportionate responses to a broad spectrum of threat, including through the ongoing delivery of Scotland’s Hate Crime Strategy. We maintain well-established relationships with our faith and belief communities, which are strengthened by regular and meaningful engagement at both ministerial and official level.

The ways people can be radicalised are continuously evolving, and we recognise that there is no single pathway or single set of factors. That is why we must remain alert and flexible to ensure our wider efforts, across multiple policy areas, build inclusive communities that are resistant to radicalisation and equipped to challenge extremist narratives. We continue to work with national and local partners to build trust and resilience.

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

The following table provides the number of people aged 65 and over who have been in prison custody in each full financial year between 2014-15 to 2025-26, this includes those who turned 65 whilst in custody.

Due to changes in data recording capabilities, we are unable to filter this data accurately to provide the figure of those over 65 on remand.

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

As part of our commitment to rehabilitation and purposeful use of time SPS provide individuals in custody with access to meaningful activity, including work and education opportunities.

Although we do not collect data on the number of untried prisoners who choose not to attend work or education activities, both the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (The Nelson Mandela Rules) and The Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011, provide guidance regarding access to work and rehabilitation activities; the latter noting that both civil and/or untried prisoners are not required to work, but may choose to participate if they wish.

Decisions on how resources are deployed, including the operation of contact, command and control services, are matters for the Chief Constable, reflecting the operational independence of policing. Police Scotland has been very clear that 101 is a non-emergency number and callers are advised of other means by which they can contact the service while on hold.

The Scottish Government is providing record funding of over £1.7 billion for policing in 2026–27, giving Police Scotland the resources it needs to maintain a resilient and responsive service, including the 101 service.

We expect that investment to support effective and accessible services for the public, and to ensure communities continue to receive the prompt and reliable policing response they deserve.

The Scottish Government’s Criminal Proceedings in Scotland database does not hold information on the specific type of watercraft involved in charges prosecuted under Loch Lomond Byelaws.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service were able to manually search relevant case records and confirmed that as of 8 July 2026 the previous position (as outlined in the answer to S6W-15977 on 28 March 2023) remains. Specifically, a total of three people have been prosecuted for offences involving a jet ski under Loch Lomond Byelaws 2013 B3.5(1)&3.17 - Knowingly/recklessly/negligently navigate and behaviour of vessel (where vessel involved is a jet ski). Of these, one was convicted. 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 has had no specific discussions with the UK Government regarding extending eligibility for the Youth Guarantee or the Jobs Guarantee to unemployed people aged over 24.

Employment support is a shared area of interest across reserved and devolved responsibilities, and Scottish Government officials engage regularly with UK Government counterparts on labour market issues and employability policy.

The Scottish Government remains committed to delivering a joined-up, person-centred employability system that supports people of all ages to progress towards and into fair, sustainable work. Through No One Left Behind, local authorities and delivery partners are empowered to provide tailored support that responds to individual circumstances, strengths and ambitions, including for people aged 25 and over who face barriers to entering, re-entering or progressing in the labour market.

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

SPS hold our serving staff and prospective staff to the highest of standards. While the vast majority of our staff adhere to the highest standards of conduct, SPS continues to be vigilant to any potential misconduct concerns within our establishments. Maintaining the safety and security of Scotland’s prisons is and will remain an absolute priority.

The number of SPS staff who were subject to a gross misconduct investigation for each financial year from 2015-16 to 2025-26 is set out in the following table: