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Last updated: 9 December 2025

Audit Scotland Budget Proposal 2026_27 to SCPA 2 Dec 2025

Other operating costs are £1,069k (20.3 per cent) higher in the proposed 2026/27 budget compared to the 2025/26 budget. 2026/27 budget and projections | 17 63.

Last updated: 6 December 2024

Audit Scotland budget 25_26 to SCPA 28 Nov 2024

This agreement is in line with comparator organisations such as the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB). 62.

Last updated: 14 June 2023

A Parliament for all

This shows the women are making fewer interventions compared to the overall representation in the Parliament (45%).

Last updated: 7 March 2023

BB20210312

S5W-36054 Bill Bowman: To ask the Scottish Government what the current estimated cost of the Haudagain improvement project is, and how this compares with the initial estimated cost.

Last updated: 22 June 2023

P ART 2 RELEASE FROM CUSTODY 30 6 Prisoners not to be released on certain days of the week (1) The Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 (“the 1993 Act”) is amended as follows. (2) In section 27 (interpretation of Part 1)— (a) in subsection (7), for the words from “a Saturday”, in the first place where they 35 occur, to the end substitute “— (a) an excepted day, or (b) subject to subsection (7A), a Thursday, 9 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody the release of the prisoner is to be brought forward to the last preceding day which is a suitable release day.”, (b) after subsection (7) insert— “(7A) Subsection (7)(b) does not apply where the prisoner fell to be released on or 5 by an excepted day and the release was brought forward to a Thursday by virtue of subsection (7)(a). (7B) For the purposes of subsections (7) and (7A)— (a) an “excepted day” is a day which is— (i) a Friday, 10 (ii) a Saturday, 1 (iii) a Sunday, (iv) a public holiday, (v) the day before a public holiday, (b) a “suitable release day” is a day which is not— 15 (i) in a case where subsection (7)(a) applies, an excepted day, (ii) in a case where subsection (7)(b) applies, an excepted day or a Thursday.”. 7 Release on licence of long-term prisoners (1) The 1993 Act is amended as follows. 20 (2) In section 1A (application to certain persons serving more than one sentence), in subsection (1)(c), after “3AA” insert “or 3AB”. (3) In section 1B (prisoners serving consecutive sentences including at least one terrorism sentence), in subsection (11), after “3AA” insert “or 3AB”. (4) In section 3AA (further powers to release prisoners)— 25 (a) subsection (1)(b) and “or” immediately preceding it are repealed, (aza) in subsection (4)— (i) in paragraph (a), after “large” insert “(including any identifiable group of people)”, (ii) after that paragraph insert— 30 “(aa) protecting a victim or any member of a victim’s family,”, (aa) subsection (7) is repealed, (ab) after subsection (7) insert— “(7A) In subsection (4)(aa), “victim” means a person against or in respect of whom an offence has been committeed by the prisoner.”, 35 (b) in the section title, after “release” insert “short-term”. (5) After that section insert— 10 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody “3AB Further powers to release long-term prisoners (1) The Scottish Ministers may release on licence under this section a long-term prisoner whose release under section 1 has not been recommended by the Parole Board. 5 (2) Before releasing a long-term prisoner by virtue of subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must consult the Parole Board. (3) If directed to do so by the Parole Board, the Scottish Ministers must release on licence under this section a long-term prisoner whose release on having served one half of the prisoner’s sentence has been recommended by the Board. 10 (4) In deciding whether to release a long-term prisoner by virtue of subsection 1 (1) or direct the release of a prisoner by virtue of subsection (3), the Scottish Ministers or, as the case may be, the Parole Board must have regard to considerations of— (a) protecting the public at large (including any identifiable group of people), 15 (aa) protecting a victim or any member of a victim’s family, (b) preventing re-offending by the prisoner, and (c) securing the successful re-integration of the prisoner into the community. (5) A long-term prisoner may not be released on licence under this section before the beginning of the period of 180 days ending with the day on which the 20 prisoner will have served one half of the prisoner’s sentence. (6) The period for which a long-term prisoner is to be released on licence under this section (the “release period”)— (a) may not exceed 180 days on any one occasion, (b) is to be specified— 25 (i) where subsection (1) applies, by the Scottish Ministers, (ii) where subsection (3) applies, by the Parole Board. (7) Subject to subsection (6)(a), the Scottish Ministers or, as the case may be, the Parole Board may extend the release period specified by virtue of subsection (6)(b)(i) or, as the case may be, (ii). 30 (8) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this section requires the Scottish Ministers or the Parole Board to make a decision by a particular date about whether to release or, as the case may be, direct the release of a prisoner on licence under this section. (9) Subsection (1) does not apply where— 35 (a) the prisoner's sentence was imposed under section 210A of the 1995 Act, (b) the prisoner is subject to a hospital direction imposed under section 59A of that Act or a transfer for treatment direction made under section 136(2) of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, 40 (c) the prisoner is liable to removal from the United Kingdom (within the meaning of section 9 of this Act). 11 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody (9A) In subsection (4)(aa), “victim” means a person against or in respect of whom an offence has been committed by the prisoner. (10) This section does not apply where the long-term prisoner is a person in relation to whom section 1AB applies. 5 3AC Further powers to release long-term prisoners: supplementary (1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations do any or all of the following— (a) amend the number of days for the time being specified in section 3AB(5), (b) amend the number of days for the time being specified in section 3AB(6)(a), 10 (c) amend any paragraph of section 3AB(9), add a further paragraph to that 1 subsection or repeal any of its paragraphs. (2) Regulations under subsection (1)— (a) may include incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision, 15 (b) are subject to the affirmative procedure.”. (6) In section 11 (duration of licence)— (a) in subsection (3A), after “3AA” insert “or 3AB”, (b) after subsection (3B) insert— “(3C) A licence granted under section 3AB remains in force (unless revoked)— 20 (a) in the case of a person released by virtue of section 3AB(1), until whichever comes first— (i) the date on which the release period specified by virtue of section 3AB(6)(b)(i) comes to an end, (ii) where the Parole Board decides not to recommend the person’s 25 release on licence, the date of that decision, (iii) where the Parole Board decides to recommend the person’s release on licence or the person otherwise falls to be released by virtue of section 1, the date on which the person would, but for their release under section 3AB(1), fall to be released on licence under 30 section 1, (b) in the case of a person released by virtue of section 3AB(3), until the date on which the person would, but for their release under section 3AB(3), fall to be released on licence under section 1. (3D) On a licence under section 3AB ceasing to have effect as mentioned in 35 subsection (3C)(a)(i) or (ii), the released person is liable to be detained in pursuance of the person’s sentence and, if at large, is deemed to be unlawfully at large.”. (7) In section 12 (conditions in licence), in subsection (4A)— (a) for “3AA” substitute “3AB(1)”, 40 (b) for “for the purposes of section 1(3) of this Act” substitute “by virtue of section 3AB(2)”. 12 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody (8) In section 12AA (conditions for persons released on licence under section 3AA)— (a) in subsection (1), for “of this Act,” to the end substitute “— (a) any licence granted under section 3AA or 3AB(1) must include— (i) the standard conditions, and 5 (ii) a curfew condition complying with section 12AB, (b) any licence granted under section 3AB(3) must include such a curfew condition.”, (b) in subsection (5), after “prescribed” insert “— (a) for licences granted under section 3AA and for licences granted under 10 section 3AB(1), 1 (b)” (c) in subsection (6)(a), after “above” insert “in relation to licences granted under section 3AA”, (d) after subsection (6) insert— 15 “(7) Subsection (4) of section 3AB applies in relation to— (a) the exercise of the power of prescription conferred by subsection (3) in relation to licences granted under section 3AB(1), (b) the specification, variation or cancellation of conditions, other than the standard conditions, in a licence granted under section 3AB, 20 as it applies in relation to the exercise of the power conferred by subsection (1) or, as the case may be, (3) of that section.”, (e) in the section title, after “3AA” insert “or 3AB”. (9) In section 12B (certain licences to be replaced by one), in subsection (4), after “3AA” insert “or 3AB”. 25 (10) In section 17 (revocation of licence), in subsection (7), after “3AA” insert “or 3AB(1)”. (11) In section 17A (recall of prisoners released under section 3AA)— (a) in subsection (1), after “3AA” insert “or 3AB(1)”, (b) in subsection (5B), after “3AA” insert “or, as the case may be, 3AB(1)”, (c) in the section title, after “3AA” insert “or 3AB(1)”. 30 (12) In section 21A (operating protocol for release on licence under section 3AA)— (a) in subsection (1), after “3AA” in each place it occurs insert “or 3AB”, (b) in the section title, after “3AA” insert “or 3AB”. (13) In section 32A of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 (offence where person unlawfully at large), in subsection (1)(a), after “section” insert “11(3D),”. 35 (14) In section 7 of the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2019 (list of relevant conditions which may be monitored electronically), in subsection (1)(a)— (a) for “12AA(1)(b)” substitute “12AA(1)”, (b) after “3AA” insert “or 3AB”. 13 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody 7A Review of recommendations and directions by Parole Board (1) The 1993 Act is amended as follows. (2) In section 17 (revocation of licence), after subsection (2) insert— “(2A) Subsection (2B) applies where the Scottish Ministers, having released a 5 long-term prisoner on licence under section 3AB(3), revoke the licence and recall the prisoner to prison under subsection (1) or revoke the licence under subsection (1A). (2B) The Parole Board may, whether when considering the prisoner’s case on a referral under subsection (3) or otherwise, review its recommendation that the 10 prisoner be released on licence on having served one half of the prisoner’s 1 sentence.”. (3) In section 17A (recall of prisoners released under section 3AA or 3AB(1))— (a) after subsection (2A) insert— “(2B) Subsection (2C) applies where— 15 (a) the Scottish Ministers release a long-term prisoner on licence under section 3AB(1), (b) the Parole Board subsequently recommends that the prisoner be released on licence on having served one half of the prisoner’s sentence, and (c) the Scottish Ministers revoke the licence under section 3AB(1) and recall 20 the prisoner to prison under subsection (1). (2C) The Parole Board may, whether or not the case is referred to it under subsection (3), review its recommendation that the prisoner be released on licence on having served one half of the prisoner’s sentence.”, (b) in subsection (3), for “such representations” substitute “representations under 25 subsection (2)”. (4) After section 17A insert— “17B Review by Parole Board of decision to recommend or direct release on licence (1) This section applies where— 30 (a) the Parole Board recommends or directs that a prisoner be released on licence under this Part, and (b) the prisoner has not yet been released on licence as a result of the Board’s recommendation or, as the case may be, direction. (2) The Parole Board may, if subsection (3) applies, review its recommendation 35 or, as the case may be, direction that the prisoner be released on licence. (3) This subsection applies if information comes to the Parole Board’s attention— (a) that was not available to the Board when it made its recommendation or, as the case may be, direction, and (b) which, in the opinion of Board, has a significant bearing on the prisoner’s 40 suitability for release on licence.”. 14 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody 8 Power to release early (1) The 1993 Act is amended as follows. (2) After section 3B (review of decisions as to determinate sentences) insert— “3C Power to release early 5 (1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations provide that a person of a description specified in the regulations is to be released from prison early on a date that is— (a) either— (i) specified in the regulations, or 10 (ii) determined in accordance with provision made in the regulations, 1 and (b) not later than the regulations’ latest release date. (2) The Scottish Ministers may make regulations under this section only if they are satisfied that making the regulations is necessary and proportionate, in 15 response to the effects an emergency situation is having or is likely to have on a prison or prisons generally, for the purpose of protecting— (a) the security and good order of any prison to which the regulations would relate, or (b) the health, safety or welfare of prisoners, or those working, in any such 20 prison. (3) Regulations under this section may— (a) provide that long term prisoners released by virtue of those regulations are released on licence, (b) specify standard conditions which must be included in any licence granted 25 by virtue of paragraph (a). (3A) A person is not to be released from prison by virtue of regulations under this section more than 180 days earlier than the Scottish Ministers would otherwise be required to release the person. (4) A person is not to be released from prison by virtue of regulations under this 30 section if— (a) the person falls within subsection (5), or (b) the governor of the prison within which the person is detained considers that the person would, if released, pose an immediate risk of harm— (i) to an identified person, or 35 (ii) to an identified group of people. (5) A person falls within this subsection if the person is— (a) a life prisoner, (b) an untried prisoner, (c) a terrorist prisoner within the meaning of section 1AB, 15 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody (d) due to serve a terrorism sentence within the meaning of section 1B but, by virtue of that section, is not yet serving it, (e) liable to removal from the United Kingdom for the purposes of section 9, 5 (f) subject to a supervised release order under section 209 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, (g) serving a sentence passed under section 210A of that Act (extended sentences for sex, violent and terrorist offenders), (h) the subject of proceedings under the Extradition Act 2003, 10 (i) subject to the notification requirements of Part 2 of the Sexual Offences 1 Act 2003, (j) serving a sentence of imprisonment or detention for an offence— (i) that is aggravated as described in section 1(1)(a) of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016, 15 (ii) under section 1(1) of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, (iii) under section 7(1) or 17(1) of the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021, (k) a long-term prisoner, unless that prisoner has been recommended for release by the Parole Board at the date on which the regulations are 20 made. (5A) The Scottish Ministers must, no later than one year after the date on which this section comes into force and in such manner as they consider appropriate, publish guidance about the application of subsection (4)(b). (5B) The Scottish Ministers may from time to time revise the guidance published 25 under subsection (5A) and subsection (5C) applies to any revised guidance. (5C) The governor of a prison must have regard to guidance published under subsection (5A) in considering the application of subsection (4)(b) in relation to regulations made under this section. (6) Regulations under this section may make different provision for different 30 purposes. (7) In this section— “emergency situation” means— (a) the incidence or spread of infection, contamination or the source of contamination which presents or could present significant harm 35 to human health in Scotland (whether from risks originating there or elsewhere), (b) an event or situation which has resulted in any prison (or part of a prison) to which the regulations would relate being unusable, (c) any other event or situation which is reasonably considered by the 40 Scottish Ministers to place at significant risk— (i) the security and good order of a prison or prisons generally, 16 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody (ii) the health, safety, and welfare of prisoners, or those working, in any such prison, “governor” in relation to a prison, means— (a) the governor appointed for the prison under section 3(1A) of the 5 Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989, or (b) in the case of a contracted out prison, the director appointed for the prison under section 107(1)(a) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, “latest release date” means a date specified in the regulations in question, 10 which must be a date within the period of 180 days beginning with the 1 day that the regulations are made, “untried prisoner” means a person who, whether or not in prison for any other reason, is in prison— (a) having been committed for examination or trial on a criminal 15 charge, (b) by virtue of remand in custody under the Extradition Act 2003, (c) by virtue of detention under Schedule 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971, or (d) following conviction and awaiting sentence. 20 3D Parliamentary scrutiny of regulations made under section 3C (1) Regulations under section 3C are subject to the affirmative procedure, unless subsection (2) applies to them. (2) This subsection applies to regulations if the Scottish statutory instrument containing the regulations includes a declaration that the Scottish Ministers 25 are of the opinion that, by reason of urgency, it is necessary to make the regulations without their being subject to the affirmative procedure. (3) Where subsection (2) applies to regulations— (a) section 30 of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 does not apply to the regulations, 30 (b) the Scottish statutory instrument containing the regulations must be laid before the Scottish Parliament as soon as practicable after they are made, (c) the Scottish Ministers must explain why they are of the opinion that, by reason of urgency, it is necessary to make the regulations without their being subject to the affirmative procedure, and 35 (d) the regulations cease to have effect at the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which they are made unless, during that period, the Scottish statutory instrument containing them is approved by resolution of the Parliament. (4) In calculating the period of 28 days mentioned in subsection (3)(d), no account 40 is to be taken of any time during which the Scottish Parliament is— (a) in recess for more than 4 days, or (b) dissolved. 17 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody (5) Regulations ceasing to have effect by virtue of subsection (3)(d) neither— (a) affects anything done under the regulations before they ceased to have effect, nor (b) prevents new regulations being made under section 3C. 5 3E Effect of early release from prison or young offenders institution by virtue of regulations (1) A person described in the first column of the table below who is released from custody by virtue of regulations under section 3C is deemed to have been released by virtue of the provision of this Act mentioned in the corresponding 10 entry in the second column. 11 1 Status of person immediately before release Provision of this Act by virtue of which the person is deemed to have been released 15 15 A short-term prisoner section 1(1) 16 A long-term prisoner section 1(3) 17 A person serving a term of imprisonment or section 1(1), construed as 18 detention imposed on a basis mentioned in section required by section 5(2) 5(1)(a) or (b) (fine defaulters and persons in 20 contempt of court) and who is, for any purpose, to be treated as a short-term prisoner by virtue of that section 23 A person serving a term of imprisonment or section 1(3), construed as 24 detention imposed on a basis mentioned in section required by section 5(2) 25 5(1)(a) or (b) and who is, for any purpose, to be treated as a long-term prisoner by virtue of that section 28 (a) A person detained— section 7(2) (i) under section 208 of the Criminal 30 Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (detention of children convicted on indictment), or (ii) in pursuance of an order under section 7(3) (children detained in solemn 35 proceedings) (2) In this section, “short-term prisoner” and “long-term prisoner” include a person treated, for any purpose, as a short-term prisoner or (as the case may be) a long term prisoner by virtue of section 6(1)(a) or 16(5)(a).”. (3) In section 12 (conditions in licence), after subsection (3) insert— 40 “(3A) Subsection (3)(b) does not apply in relation to a standard condition in a licence granted by virtue of regulations under section 3C(3).”. (4) After that section insert— 18 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody “12ZA Conditions for persons released on licence under section 3C(3) (1) Standard conditions specified by the Scottish Ministers in regulations under section 3C(3) remain in force (unless they are cancelled) in relation to a released person until the date on which the released person would, but for 5 release by virtue of the regulations, fall to be released under section 1(3). (2) Standard conditions specified by the Scottish Ministers in regulations under section 3C(3) may include a curfew condition complying with section 12AB.”. 9 Duty to engage in release planning (1) The Community Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”) is amended as follows. 10 (2) After section 34 (innovation, learning and development activity) insert— 1 “Engagement in release planning 34A Duty to engage in release planning (1) Each person falling within subsection (2) must, so far as reasonably practicable, comply with a request by the Scottish Ministers to engage in the development, 15 management and delivery of a release plan. (2) The persons are— (a) a local authority, (b) a health board, (c) the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland, 20 (d) Skills Development Scotland, (e) an integration joint board established by virtue of section 9 of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014. (3) Engagement under subsection (1) must take place within the timescale specified in the request. 25 (4) In complying with subsection (1), a person— (a) must have regard to the role which third sector bodies are able to play in the development, management and delivery of the release plan, (b) may commission services from, or co-ordinate with existing services provided by, third sector bodies as the person considers appropriate to 30 meet the needs of the individual to whom the release plan relates. (5) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations— (a) make further provision about engagement in the development, management, and delivery of release plans, (b) modify the list in subsection (2). 35 (5A) Regulations under subsection (5)(a) may, in particular, make provision about— (a) engagement in the development, management and delivery of release plans in relation to relevant individuals who, having been remanded in custody, are released from custody immediately on the conclusion of proceedings against them, 19 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody (b) the appointment of a person to lead the management and delivery of a relevant individual’s release plan following the individual’s release, (c) how the duty of co-operation under section 35 is to operate in relation to the duty to engage in the development, management, and delivery of 5 release plans under this section. (5B) Regulations under subsection (5)(a)— (a) may include incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision, (b) may modify enactments (including this Act). 10 (6) Regulations under this section are subject to the affirmative procedure. 1 (7) In this section— “release plan” means a plan to— (a) prepare a relevant individual for release, (b) facilitate— 15 (i) the individual’s reintegration into the community, (ii) access by the individual to relevant general services, “relevant general services” has the same meaning as in section 1, a “relevant individual” is an individual who has been— (a) remanded in custody, or 20 (b) convicted of offences and sentenced to imprisonment or detention in a penal institution.

Last updated: 7 March 2023

BB20200221

S5W-27546 Colin Smyth: To ask the Scottish Government what the total amount set aside for active travel is in its draft budget, broken down by level 4 budget line, and how this compares with (a) 2018-19 and (b) 2019-20.

Questions and Answers Date answered: 19 November 2014

S4W-23057

His response is as follows: “Appointments to prison visiting committees are made by local authorities, with the exception of young offender institutions (HMYOIs Cornton Vale and Polmont).

Committee reports Date published: 16 January 2026

Inquiry into the harm caused by substance misuse in Scottish Prisons - Annexe C: Relevant Published Data

There are no more up-to-date publications after 2021/22.Public Health ScotlandNational Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting TimesA quarterly report on waiting times for people accessing specialist drug and alcohol treatment services with specific information on prison-based services.Scottish GovernmentDeaths in Prison CustodyA report linking SPS and National Records of Scotland data to examine cause of death in prison custody and compare...

Committee reports Date published: 23 January 2023

The role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net-zero Scotland - Renewable energy

It commits to an ambitious target of the equivalent of 50% of the energy for Scotland's heat, transport and electricity consumption being supplied from renewable sources by 2030, compared with just under 18% in 2015. There are various actions and policies to support growth in onshore and offshore wind, marine, geothermal and bio- energy, and to encourage lo...

Committee reports Date published: 26 June 2020

Development and implementation of Regional Marine Plans in Scotland: interim report (July 2020). - THEME 1: Membership and governance of Marine Planning Partnerships

This plan was led by the Firth of Clyde Forum which later formed the basis for core membership of the CMPP. Compared to Shetland, the Clyde marine region is more complex with a greater number of stakeholders, local authorities and competing demands on the marine environment leading to greater tensions between stakeholders.

Election 2026

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