- Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 9 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent inspection report of HMP Kilmarnock, the first inspection of a prison in Scotland transferred from private to public sector operation, which found that standards at the prison have declined since the previous inspection.
Answer
The Scottish Government welcomes the His Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons Scotland (HMIPS) report on HMP Kilmarnock and the important work by HMIPS to assess the treatment and care of those in custody.
We note the report’s recognition of the positive and respectful relationships between staff and those in the care of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and that the transfer from private into public ownership was done in a safe and controlled manner.
The report makes a number of recommendations for improvement and since the inspection which was undertaken in May 2025, SPS have progressed work to address many of the points raised, recognising the need for continuous improvement.
The impact of the high prison population in Scotland is felt within HMP Kilmarnock, and across the prison estate. The inspectorate acknowledges there are opportunities for the future under the transition.
- Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 9 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government how many properties were recorded to be at a high risk of flooding in each year since 2021-22.
Answer
SEPA’s National Flood Risk Assessment (NFRA) provides a national picture of the risk of flooding in Scotland. It is carried out every 6 years under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 and estimates the number of properties(residential and non-residential) in Scotland at current ,and future, risk of flooding.
The 2018 NFRA estimated around 88,000 properties were at high risk of flooding. High risk of flooding is defined as more than 10% chance of flooding in any given year. The 2025 NFRA updates this figure to 108,000 properties at high risk of flooding.
As the 2025 NFRA summary report outlines, it is worth noting that the 2025 and 2018 figures are not directly comparable. The increase of around 20,000 reflects improved mapping detail available, particularly for surface water and smaller water courses as well as updated SEPA data and assessment methods.
- Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 9 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to recent findings from the HMP Kilmarnock inspection report, which found that 223 cells designed for single occupancy had been converted to double occupancy due to overcrowding, and on 22 May 2025, 38 of these cells were being shared by convicted and remand prisoners, contrary to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).
Answer
I welcome the report on HMP Kilmarnock from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS), in particular their acknowledgement of good practice and that the transfer from private into public ownership was done in a safe and controlled manner.
I recognise that, faced with the context of the current prison population, HMP Kilmarnock has experienced challenges as seen across the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) estate. All SPS establishments have been required to make operational decisions that maximise available space in order to accommodate a rising and complex prison population.
The wellbeing of those in SPS’ care remains paramount, and in all instances, consideration is given to factors such as social care needs, risk presentation and the classification of prisoners.
- Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with Home Office (a) ministers and (b) officials to discuss the use of Cameron Barracks in Inverness as accommodation for asylum seekers, and whether any future meetings are scheduled to take place.
Answer
I met with the UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum on 15 December 2025 to seek clarity on Home Office proposals to use Cameron Barracks as accommodation for people seeking asylum. No further ministerial meetings on this issue have been scheduled.
I wrote to the UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum on 13 February 2026 requesting that information is made publicly available on a regular basis and that the Highland Council, NHS Highland, Police Scotland and other delivery partners are given sufficient notice to enable effective planning to mitigate any risks to both the site occupants and local communities.
An official-level Operational Working Group meeting on Cameron Barracks chaired by the Home Office met on 1 June 2026.
Despite repeated requests, the Home Office has not provided a timeline for arrivals, nor confirmed that a final decision on the use of the site has been taken.
- Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 29 May 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 9 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will increase police funding in line with inflation, in order to prevent further reductions to community policing.
Answer
Scotland’s police service will always be visible and at the heart of our communities. Police Scotland are keeping people safe every day as shown by recorded crime falling by half since 1991.
Using the GDP deflator, the 2026-27 Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Budget has increased in real terms compared to the opening 2025-26 budget.
In 2026-27, the Scottish Government is providing record funding of over £1.7 billion for policing, a total budget increase of £81.5 million, or 5% compared to the published 2025-26 Autumn Budget Revision (ABR) budget. This record investment continues to allow Police Scotland to recruit new officers and to maintain officer numbers at 16,500.
It is for the SPA, working with the Chief Constable, to determine how to allocate this budget to meet policing priorities, as outlined in the Police Scotland Three year Business Plan.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its joint purchase with Fife Council of 26 homes from Torah Capital Limited and TC CAPS3 Limited across West Wemyss, Coaltown of Wemyss and Denbeath, and in light of a Fife councillor reportedly describing this intervention as "stepping in at the right time", what specific criteria it plans to use to decide whether it will intervene in future cases where private tenants face mass eviction.
Answer
As the strategic housing authority for the area, Fife Council assessed the situation and took a strategic decision to redirect Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) (2026-27) funds in Fife to purchase these homes. Due to funding commitments for other projects, Fife Council requested additional support from Scottish Government to ensure the purchase could be supported quickly, without creating pressure on existing AHSP projects. The AHSP already allows for the purchase of homes with tenants in situ where this meets a clear strategic purpose and where the tenant is at risk of homelessness, as set out in published guidance. Guidance+and+Procedures+-+MHDGN+2023-01+-+Affordable+Housing+Supply+Programme+%28AHSP%29+Process+and+Procedures.pdf.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its joint purchase with Fife Council of 26 homes from Torah Capital Limited and TC CAPS3 Limited across West Wemyss, Coaltown of Wemyss and Denbeath, whether it will provide information on how its £2 million contribution was determined, and whether there are further funds available to support other communities potentially facing similar threats to their housing security in Fife or elsewhere in Scotland.
Answer
As the strategic housing authority for the area, Fife Council assessed the situation and took a strategic decision to redirect Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) (2026-27) funds in Fife to purchase these homes. Fife Council requested AHSP grant funding of 57% grant which provides value for money at around £73,000 grant per unit across all 26 units and is broadly in line with other open market purchases in Fife. By enabling this, the threat of homelessness will be removed for all tenants bringing the matter to a successful conclusion. This year Scottish Government will invest over £926m to support delivery of affordable housing, with Councils as the strategic housing authorities setting the investment priorities within their areas.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its joint purchase with Fife Council of 26 homes from Torah Capital Limited and TC CAPS3 Limited across West Wemyss, Coaltown of Wemyss and Denbeath, whether its £2 million contribution to the purchase is part of a new national policy of government-funded buyouts to prevent private sector evictions, or whether it is to be considered as a one-off emergency measure.
Answer
As the strategic housing authority for the area, Fife Council assessed the situation and took a strategic decision to redirect Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) (2026-27) funds in Fife to purchase these homes. Due to funding commitments for other projects, Fife Council requested additional support from Scottish Government to ensure the purchase could be supported quickly without creating pressure on existing AHSP projects. The AHSP already allows for the purchase of homes with tenants in situ where this meets a clear strategic purpose and where the tenant is at risk of homelessness, as set out in published guidance. Guidance+and+Procedures+-+MHDGN+2023-01+-+Affordable+Housing+Supply+Programme+%28AHSP%29+Process+and+Procedures.pdf.
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 01 June 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Siobhian Brown on 9 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Glasgow City Joint Protection Committee's Learning Review Report on Family C, which was published in May 2026, whether it will consider making an order under section 54 of the Children and Young People Act (Scotland) 2014 to add the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to the list of corporate parents.
Answer
The detail published in Glasgow City Joint Protection Committee's Learning Review Report on Family C is horrific. The abuse and neglect the children were subjected to is abhorrent and unacceptable. Keeping children safe is a key priority for the Scottish Government and the Review’s findings are being carefully considered locally and nationally by the Scottish Government and partners as part of our ongoing work to better protect children, support young victims engaging with the justice system, and improve communication between services.
Scotland should be a good parent, and at every turn and in every setting, children must have access to safe, consistent nurturing relationships and environments which enable them to reach their full potential.
The Scottish Government is actively considering all the national recommendations contained within the report, including the recommendation relating to whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service should be a body with corporate parenting responsibilities.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 29 May 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 9 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any barriers that the current costs and legal requirements associated with obtaining a Power of Attorney create for (a) low-income households, (b) older people and (c) disabled people, and whether it will consider introducing officially approved standard templates or additional financial support for applicants.
Answer
Work is underway to modernise the Adults with Incapacity system in Scotland, including Powers of Attorney, with a specific focus on enhancing the rights and protections of people affected by incapacity law. We are working collaboratively with an Expert Working Group, convened in September 2025, to develop evidence-based recommendations for legislative and procedural reform and to improve the experience of those affected by incapacity law.
Financial support is already in place to obtain a Power of Attorney in circumstances where an individual may not otherwise be able to afford it. Legal aid may be available to support the cost of a solicitor drawing up a Power of Attorney and individuals may be able to claim a fee in relation to registering their Power of Attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian.
The Scottish Government is considering plans to deliver the commitment to temporarily reduce the power of attorney registration fees within this parliamentary term and will engage with relevant stakeholders to do so.
