Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-38766

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect dementia services.

Question reference: S6W-38578

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many older people are currently on waiting lists for a social care assessment.

Question reference: S6W-38729

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 16 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 4 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019, including whether it is aware of any data setting out (a) the views of children and families on the impact of the Act, (b) the views of professionals with responsibility for child protection on the impact of the Act, (c) whether the Act has led to an increase in referrals of families to social work or other family support services, and (d) whether the Act has led to an increase in parental prosecutions for assault.

The Scottish Government has not yet carried out an assessment of the impact of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) Scotland Act 2019.

The Implementation Group for the Act continues to meet on a yearly basis. Minutes of these meetings are at: Children (Equal Protection From Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019 implementation group - gov.scot.

We are not aware of any data on the views of children and families on the impact of the Act itself. However, the Policy Memorandum for the Bill which became the 2019 Act summarised information on the incidence of physical punishment and on children and young people’s views of physical punishment. Please see Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum (paragraphs 46 to 51).

On the views of professionals, the Scottish Government is aware of a recent open letter by a range of health bodies calling for the removal of the “reasonable punishment” defence in England: Thirteen leading public health organisations call on Government to outlaw physical punishment | RCPCH.

The Scottish Government does not have data on changes in relation to the number of referrals to social work or other family support services. The Child Protection Statistics for Scotland only started including data on inter-agency referral discussions (IRDs) from 2023-24: Children’s Social Work Statistics: Child Protection 2023-24 - gov.scot In any event, the reasons for IRDs taking place are varied.

Data on the number of people convicted for common assault as a main charge is available at criminal-proceedings-scotland-2022-23-main-tables.xlsx (see table 4b). If there are multiple charges proven against an accused in a single proceeding, the main charge is the crime or offence receiving the most severe penalty. The data is not split to show whether the person being prosecuted is a parent: this information is not held in the Criminal Proceedings data. The figures for 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 are likely to reflect the impact of the pandemic and should not be considered indicative of longer-term trends.

Information on crimes recorded by the Police is available at Recorded+Crime+-+2024-25+-+Bulletin+tables.xlsx (see table A1 for information on common assault). Again, this does not show information on whether a person recorded as committing a crime is a parent.

Question reference: S6W-38764

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on dementia services by each Integration Joint Board (IJB) in each financial year from 2020-21 to 2024-25, and what the notional budget is for 2025-26.

As it is integration authorities and locally elected representatives who are responsible for making decisions on how best to deliver services to local communities, the Scottish Government would not be appropriately placed to provide an accurate figure on spend specific to dementia services by each Integration Joint Board (IJB) since 2020-21.

The 2025-26 budget for Health and Social Care provides record funding of £21.7 billion and whilst service delivery remains the responsibility of receiving partnerships, the Scottish Government has continued its investment of £3.5 million per annum, to be used to enhance access to dementia Post-Diagnostic Support services. This funding is allocated in accordance with the standard NRAC formula and thereafter each IJB will receive delegated funds from the relevant Health Board.

Commissioned by the Scottish Government, the 2025-26 independent evaluation of dementia Post-Diagnostic Support will work closely with Health and Social Care Partnerships and those with lived experience to evidence the value and impact of Post-Diagnostic Support to date, helping to inform future policy, service planning and practice.

This is one of a number of strands of work being undertaken to improve the dementia experience, and people’s access to appropriate services and supports. As part of the first 2-Year Delivery Plan for the Dementia Strategy for Scotland, we have aimed to:

Increase access to support following a diagnosis. That includes investment of £4.35m this year to increase direct support to dementia community groups and settings across Scotland, and to continue efforts to increase the number of people who benefit from our commitment to 12 months’ Post-Diagnostic Support.
Build the understanding and evidence we need to make the changes necessary to improve people’s dementia experience. That includes working with research, academia and national partners to build a comprehensive understanding of who is providing them care and support (and the skills and education they need), enhancing the data we have on how many people are living with a diagnosis and accessing support, and commissioning evaluations on future service delivery.
Challenge people’s preconceptions of dementia. That includes a national Rethink Dementia campaign that saw over 73% of those engaged commit to continue to be there for those in their lives receiving a diagnosis, and how this can help them stay well for longer, and taking forward efforts to understand how we can promote the link between healthier lifestyles and reducing your dementia risk.

Question reference: S6W-38941

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 4 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government which of its departments or directorates are being considered for (a) closure, (b) consolidation and (c) staffing reductions under the recently announced £1 billion annual savings plan for public services.

The Public Service Reform Strategy sets out a clear direction for modernising how we work, with workforce transformation at its core. It supports a shift in operating models, with a focus on efficiency, collaboration, and protecting frontline delivery, and will significantly increase our focus on delivering the most efficient and effective public services system, this includes the Scottish Government. We will be reviewing the service delivery landscape to make sure it is the right composition to deliver the services the people of Scotland need, this will include both public bodies and Scottish Government directorates. There are also plans in place to drive workforce reductions to meet the £1 billion target. Updates on the progress of this work will be provided to Parliament as part of regular updates on the wider PSR Strategy.

Question reference: S6W-38950

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 4 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason only 2% of victims were reportedly notified through the Victim Notification Scheme of the early release of prisoners in summer 2024.

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

The Scottish Government’s Victim Notification Scheme (VNS) in Scotland is an opt-in scheme, which affords victims the right to decide whether they choose to receive information, including but not limited to, the offender’s release date.

The SPS’ VNS Team hold the contact details for registered victims who have joined the VNS. Registered victims, where the offender was released early as part of Early Release, were notified by SPS’ VNS Team of the change to the offender’s release date, ahead of release.

In addition, temporary expediated processes were also introduced to enable victims who had not registered on the VNS but confirmed eligible to join, to find out themselves or through a named VSO, the release date of an offender.

Question reference: S6W-38648

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 4 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in relation to reports of land being sold at auctions as investment or lifestyle plots, despite being situated on crofting, arable or protected land, such as the Parallel Roads of Lochaber Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at Achnabobane.

Owners and occupiers of land within an SSSI must apply to NatureScot for consent to carry out certain operations. When a planning application is submitted in relation to a development that may affect an SSSI, the planning authority must consult NatureScot and take its advice into account. Should any proposed future use of land require planning permission, that would be a matter for the planning authority to consider under relevant planning legislation and policy.

We are continuing to progress a Nature Conservation Order to prevent further damage to the Parallel Roads of Lochaber Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), as per the answer to question S6W-37759 on 30 May 2025.

Question reference: S6W-38756

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 4 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-38261 by Angela Constance on 17 June 2025, what the change in budget in real terms is for 2025-26 once inflation has been taken into account.

The 2025-26 budget for the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU) is £1.217 million, which represents a £47,000 uplift when compared to their 2024-25 budget, and a 1.3% real terms increase in funding. This increase will allow the SVRU to respond to emerging priorities, including violence among young people, investing in prevention and early intervention. This investment reflects our continued commitment to tackle violence and build safer communities for everyone.

Question reference: S6W-38174

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the budget for the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill in 2025-26 is £11 million, in light of its decision to withdraw plans for a national care service.

The Scottish Government is delivering improvement and reform of social care, social work and community health.

Financial information, including the National Care Service Programme 2025-26 budget position, has been provided to the Finance and Public Administration Committee. The Care Reform (Scotland) Bill is one element of our ambitious programme of social care reform that will be delivered through both legislative and non-legislative means, including the recent establishment of the non-statutory NCS Advisory Board.

Question reference: S6W-39015

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 4 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC) remains a competent body to review the rules governing legal expenses for Aarhus cases, in light of reports of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee (ACCC) granting admissibility to a complaint submitted by the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland (ERCS) alleging that the SCJC breached the Convention's article 8 public participation requirements by failing to publicly consult on its review of court rules.

The Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee (ACCC) has indicated that communication ACCC/C/2025/216, which alleges a failure on the part of the Scottish Civil Justice Council to publicly consult on amendments to the rules governing Protective Expenses Orders contained in the Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session 1994 Amendment) (Protective Expenses Orders) 2024, has been found to be admissible on a preliminary basis. Further procedure is to be followed before a decision is taken on admissibility by the ACCC and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

The Scottish Civil Justice Council was established under the Scottish Civil Justice Council and Criminal Legal Assistance Act 2013. It is an independent statutory body with responsibility for preparing draft rules of procedure for the civil courts, and advises the Lord President on the development of the civil justice system in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has every confidence in the work of the Scottish Civil Justice Council.

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