To our knowledge, there are currently only two public bodies operating in Scotland which allow sex markers to be changed on official documents (HM Passport Office and the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency). As both of these public bodies are reserved to the UK Parliament, it would not be within the devolved competence of the Scottish Government to mandate them to keep records of the number of documents changed annually.

The Scottish Government would not mandate any action for Scottish public sector organisations that is not legally required. It would be for respective public bodies to determine the best process for its staff and users. This includes matters relating to allowing sex markers to be changed and keeping records of the number of documents changed annually, with basic demographic information included.

However, we do expect all public sector organisations in Scotland to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty, which is not a duty to achieve any particular results, but a duty to have “due regard” to the need to achieve the three goals of:

• eliminating eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation
• advancing equality of opportunity and;
• fostering good relations between different groups of people.

Equality Law relating to equal opportunities is generally reserved under the Scotland Act 1999. It is for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) - as the regulator of the Equality Act 2010 - to produce, review and update any technical guidance in relation to such matters.

We note that the EHRC are now reviewing their guidance following the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of woman under the Equality Act 2010. The Scottish Government are taking time to consider any implications the Supreme Court’s ruling may have on our own guidance to ensure that it is compliant with the judgment and takes account of any updated guidance that will be provided by the EHRC in due course.

We remain committed to protecting everyone’s rights and will continue to work to ensure that our guidance is inclusive of all of Scotland’s communities. This includes using communication which is plain, clear and concise, both in language generally, and in published guidance, as far as the subject-matter allows.

The information requested is not held centrally. However, data are available on the number of businesses operating in Scotland that are rest of the UK owned and Abroad owned. These estimates, sourced from the Businesses in Scotland 2024 publication, are shown in the following table.

Table 1: Registered businesses operating in Scotland, Rest of the UK and Abroad owned, 2010 to 2024

Local authorities have the statutory responsibility for delivering education and for ensuring that those pupils identified with an additional support need, are fully supported to learn. Work is underway through the Additional Support for Learning Action Plan to improve the consistency of all communications regarding additional support for learning. This includes the data that is recorded and published.

We recognise this is a challenging time for families. Our essential support for disabled people helps cover the costs of basic everyday living tasks. The qualifying period – which similarly applies in UK disability benefits - ensures this support is targeted to those with long-term conditions. A change to qualifying periods could undermine the fundamental purpose of Disability Assistance.

People don’t need to wait three months to apply for Child or Adult Disability Payment – they can apply as their needs happen. They also don’t need a diagnosis – if they have had the level of needs for 13 weeks when they apply, entitlement starts straight away.

The Young Patients Family Fund helps families of young inpatients cover costs of travel, food and/or accommodation and patient travel expenses reimbursement schemes support families with costs of travelling to hospital appointments. Carers receiving Carer Support Payment (CSP) can have a temporary break from caring if the person they care for is in hospital and still receive CSP. Additionally, the Children, Young People, Families and Adult Learning fund provides third sector funding to improve emotional wellbeing of young cancer patients and their families and reduce financial worries.

The Review of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers)(Scotland) Act 2020 was published on 4 April. In that review we committed to consult on prohibiting the use of remote control static pulse training collars. We are currently working to regulate the activities of the canine facility sector. We are also developing a Code of Practice that will ensure the transparent and safe transfer of ownership of any puppy and dog, as required under the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2025.

Decisions concerning the number and recruitment of both On-Call and Wholetime firefighters is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the UK Government about heat decarbonisation. For example, we continue to press the UK Government to align delivery of the Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Schemes with Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies.

Through our work on NHS renewal we are continuing to collect views through a series of engagements with a wide range of stakeholders. This builds on the feedback and understanding gained through the Health and Care Experience Survey and other channels. We are translating this into action and transformation through our ongoing work with NHS Boards, supporting staff to help deliver against the recently published Operational Improvement Plan, and building through the forthcoming population health framework and health and social care renewal framework

Where a reported sextortion-related crime involves the perpetrator making demands for money or other valuables, it will be recorded and investigated under Threats and Extortion. Where it involves a motive other than financial gain (for example a demand of a physical sexual nature or some other attempt to exert control over the victim), Police Scotland will record it under Threatening to disclose an intimate image.

Whilst statistics are available on the number of people prosecuted and convicted for both Threats and Extortion and Threatening to disclose an intimate image, these do not specifically identify cases that happened online and may include non-sextortion type incidents.

SEXTORTION CRIMESTOPPERS’ FEARLESS CAMPAIGN

The campaign was prompted by discussions between the SG and Police Scotland to explore what more can be done to address growing concerns about the complexity and level of incidence of sextortion activity, and the avenues open for younger people and parents to report these incidents safely and in the knowledge that their concerns will be handled sensitively.

The Fearless campaign targets young people of all genders aged 13 – 21 living in Scotland, but a large proportion of cases have involved male victims aged between 14-18. Ninety-one per cent of victims in UK sextortion cases dealt with by the Internet Watch Foundation in 2023 were male.

Phase 1 – launched 18 November 2024

In partnership with Fearless and Police Scotland, the Scottish Government funded a 4-week campaign, focused on raising awareness of the topic of sextortion amongst young people aged 13 - 21 years old and adults who work with and look after young people Scotland wide.

The campaign is trauma-informed and reassuring and puts victim impact and empathy at the heart of the campaign and link with UNCRC.

Co-designed by teenagers, the campaign targeted young people through various social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram and emphasises that absolutely any young person can be affected. They’re encouraged to know that if this happens to them, it’s not their fault, they are not alone, and that help is there for them.

An awareness video has been filmed with Fearless, Police Scotland and NSPCC specifically for adults who work with and look after young people. This short film aims to increase their own awareness of sextortion whilst reassuring them that help is available should this happen to their young person.

Regular meetings have taken place over the last few months to ensure that the campaign is focused, that it can be evaluated and to ensure there is a longer-term strategy going forward.

Phase 2 – launched 7 February 2025

Phase 2, developed to build on the significant achievements of Phase 1, sees an increased focus on outreach activity and will provide more vital information to parents and carers. Young people will also continue to be encouraged to learn more about sextortion through social media ads designed by their peers.

Phase 2 is only the next step in raising awareness and reducing the considerable harm sextortion causes. It forms part of a range of future activity to ensure awareness and support remains clear and accessible. This includes the development of educational tools and the establishment of a national strategic group to ensure that Scotland’s approach to sextortion is coordinated and informed by the most up to date information and trends in criminality.

Campaign Evaluation

Since its initial launch on 18th November 2024, Fearless has seen very positive engagement with the campaign, including:

?Over 8.9 million social media impressions of the youth ads targeted at young people with 61,387 swipes to the sextortion youth landing page at Fearless.org to learn more

?Over 1.3 million social media impressions of the adult ads, with 6,399 clicks to the adult focused landing page at Fearless.org to learn more

In addition to the significant social media reach, webinars were delivered to 399 youth professionals from Health, Education and Youth Work across Scotland. More than 95% of the attendees felt the campaign increased their knowledge of sextortion, with the majority going on to share their learning with colleagues and making plans to highlight to young people.

A full evaluation of the campaign is expected by summer 2025 in which Fearless will be able to share the level of engagement from the campaign including reach, impressions and swipes to their website Fearless.org.

They will also continue to monitor, engage and respond to partner and young people feedback.

We will work with partners to publish this information when it is available.