Chamber and committees

This is a matter for the Scottish Charity Regulator. It is a non-ministerial office and its operations are independent of Scottish Ministers. The information requested is not held centrally and questions about any operational matters should be put directly to the Scottish Charity Regulator.

We expect to complete the due diligence in Spring 2025, prior to award of the new contract in October 2025.

The costs included in the referral to the CMA are the overall costs of providing ferry services over the coming years, which include the costs of increasing the number of vessels in the fleet, resulting in an increased charter cost to reflect the value of new assets.

Transport Scotland officials met with the Ferries Communities Board on 18 December 2024 to discuss issues related to Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services 3 contract.

The final subsidy for ScotRail for the financial year 2024-25 will be known when the accounts for this year have been finalised and published. Subsidy provided to other train operating companies is a matter for the UK Department for Transport, Transport for London and the Welsh Government.

The Scottish Government welcomes the publication of the interim report and thanks the Chair, Edel Harris, for her work. The Scottish Government is carefully considering these initial findings and looks forward to the publication of the final report in July 2025. A written response to that final report will be published within six months of its submission.

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering vital public services and supporting our third sector but continues to face the most challenging financial situation since devolution.

The 2025-26 draft budget, which will be subject to the approval of the Parliament, included an allocation for the Children, Young People, Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities (CYPFEI & ALEC) and Children, Young People, Families and Adult Learners (CYPFAL) third sector funds.

Social Security Scotland routinely releases information on Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods including the number and value of payments.

Since the introduction of Best Start Grant School Age Payment in June 2019, £34,086,106 has been paid to eligible clients. The following table shows the total number and value of School Age Payments made over each financial years since its introduction:

COPFS is a national organisation, with 37 offices located across Scotland, including three in the Sheriffdom of Grampian: Aberdeen, Peterhead and Banff. Provision of services to ensure equitable access to justice is therefore delivered nationally.

For those whose first language is not English, COPFS works with partners in the criminal justice system to ensure that those accused of a crime, as well as bereaved relatives, victims and witnesses, have access to high quality interpreting, translation and transcription services when accessing services and has made a public commitment to this. COPFS proactively translates correspondence with victims, witnesses, and bereaved relatives where a language need has been identified; provides interpreters, including British Sign Language interpreters, for victims, witnesses and bereaved relatives who are required to attend at court or wish to follow proceedings during an FAI (Fatal Accident Inquiry); arranges for the translation of key information documents into the top ten languages used by immigrants to Scotland, all of which are available on the COPFS website.

COPFS understands the physical and emotional effects crime can have on victims and the vital role witnesses play in the criminal justice system and is committed to meeting their needs, communicating effectively and recognising any equality and inclusion requirements.

The following table details the charges reported to COPFS for the period 1 April 2019-31 March 2024 subsequently marked for court proceedings (prosecuted) – in cases where accused is recorded as a company. These figures are correct as at 17 December 2024. There may also be a number of charges awaiting a marking decision.

COPFS is a key partner in the multi-agency work flowing from the Scottish Government’s Equally Safe strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse. Effectively tackling domestic abuse is an organisational priority for both Police Scotland and COPFS.

Police Scotland and COPFS have an established Joint protocol in domestic abuse cases which is publicly available on the COPFS website. The Protocol is not confined to one COPFS office. It outlines the procedures and practices to be followed by Police Scotland and COPFS in the investigation, reporting and prosecution of allegations involving domestic abuse throughout Scotland. COPFS’ presumption of prosecution in domestic abuse cases is confirmed by the Statement of prosecution policy in cases involving domestic abuse, also publicly available on the COPFS website. All cases of domestic abuse are referred to the Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service within COPFS.

Victims of domestic abuse are deemed vulnerable witnesses under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (s.271(1)(c)(iv)) and are automatically entitled to special measures to assist them in giving evidence. Cases with vulnerable witnesses are prioritised both by the court in fixing trial and throughout trial preparation by prosecutors.

Information in respect of journey times of cases brought to court is produced by the Scottish Government, using data provided both by COPFS and SCTS. These are national figures and are not produced for individual courts or Procurator Fiscal Offices.