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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01304 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’s Client Guide to Construction Projects provides detailed guidance for public bodies on the conduct of all construction projects including design and build. It reinforces the importance of embedding the delivery of quality in construction projects from the very start and recognises the critical role of clients in creating the systems and culture that underpin it. It is supplemented by construction policy notes which include guidance for oversight and site inspection in design and build projects. These are mandated for all projects which fall within the scope of the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM).

The Scottish Government also continue to encourage all public sector bodies to use the Client Guide and the associated Construction Capability Assessment Tool in order to ensure their organisation is prepared for and aligned with all the requirements of their chosen procurement route.

The Scottish Government will continue to review and develop the Client Guide to Construction Projects and strengthen its visibility and impact

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 Scottish Government has invested over £6 million to support implementation of the Violence Prevention Framework since its publication in May 2023. It has also provided over £2 million over 2026-27 to continue delivery of the violence prevention work. This funding supports a range of targeted prevention and early intervention activity in schools, hospitals and across communities, working with partners to tackle violence and its harms including the use of any form of weapon including knives.