Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business
Good afternoon. The first item of business is portfolio questions. The first portfolio is Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and parliamentary business.
Members wishing to ask a supplementary question should press their request-to-speak buttons during the relevant question. There is quite a bit of demand, so brevity in questions and responses would be appreciated.
Local and Regional Museums and Galleries
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to protect the on-going viability of local and regional museums and galleries. (S6O-04544)
Although it is for locally elected council representatives to make decisions on how best to deliver services in their local communities, the Scottish Government recognises the significant challenges that the museums and galleries sector is facing.
The Scottish Government is developing a museums capacity and support programme in partnership with Museums Galleries Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will invest £4 million in 2025-26, taking a collaborative and strategic approach to enable positive change across the sector. That will ensure that those vital organisations have the resilience to continue to deliver for Scotland’s communities and for the nation as a whole.
Across South Scotland, there are a number of important cultural artefacts that museums do not have the funding to maintain. If that relatively small amount of funding is not found, those pieces will have to go into storage away from the public, in order to protect them, which will further decrease visitor numbers. Is the Scottish Government sleepwalking into the terminal decline of Scottish culture anywhere other than in our major cities, or does the plan that the cabinet secretary mentioned support culture in our towns and villages?
I am happy to confirm that this is a Scotland-wide programme. Carole Mochan has raised concerns about some specific artefacts. I am not aware of those, but I would be grateful if she could let me know, as I want to look closely at those issues and understand whether there is anything that I can do to support their retention and display in the region that she represents.
I note that, earlier this month, thanks to record investment from the Scottish Government, Museums Galleries Scotland announced new grant funding of £2.4 million for 2025. Can the cabinet secretary speak to how that funding will help to maintain and revive museums and galleries for communities across Scotland?
We value the support that Museums Galleries Scotland offers the sector. This year, due to the increased investment from the Scottish Government in the 2025-26 budget, Museums Galleries Scotland has opened the small grants fund to non-accredited museums, increasing support opportunities to more organisations across Scotland. Museums Galleries Scotland has also bolstered its repair and adaption fund, which will support capital costs that directly increase the resilience of museums or improve accessibility through projects that address capital repair issues and adaptations. Further details on the full range of support that is available through Museums Galleries Scotland is available on its website.
Local Museums and Heritage Centres
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to increase funding for local museums and heritage centres, including the Summerlee museum of Scottish industrial life in Coatbridge. (S6O-04545)
The Scottish Government values our local museums and heritage centres, which is why we have increased Museums Galleries Scotland’s funding from £2.7 million in 2024-25 to £4.27 million in 2025-26, as well as continuing to support Historic Environment Scotland. Those organisations deliver direct and indirect support to local museums and heritage centres across Scotland by providing expert advice as well as grant schemes, details of which can be found on their respective websites. I encourage Mr MacGregor to share that information with the Summerlee museum.
We are also collaboratively developing a strategically focused brand-new £4 million museums capacity and support programme with sector partners.
This week, I will be present at two culturally significant events that are being held at Summerlee. On Friday, I will attend the annual international workers memorial day event and, on Saturday, I will speak at the opening of the “Ship Ahoy!” Scottish maritime heritage exhibition, along with Paul Sweeney MSP. Does the cabinet secretary agree that such events highlight the essential role that local museums play in preserving Scotland’s industrial and maritime heritage, and that increased funding is needed to support and sustain them in our communities?
I agree that such events highlight the essential role that local museums play in preserving Scotland’s renowned industrial and maritime heritage, while delivering significant benefits to communities across Scotland.
As already mentioned, that is why we have increased funding to Museums Galleries Scotland from £2.7 million to £4.27 million this year. In addition, the Scottish Government is developing a museums capacity and support programme in partnership with Museums Galleries Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, in which we will be investing £4 million in 2025-26. I am pleased to say that that increased funding will offer additional support to the sector as a whole.
Creative Industries (Young People’s Access)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support young people to access the creative industries. (S6O-04546)
The Scottish Government has a long-standing history of supporting youth arts programmes. That includes the youth music initiative and Sistema Scotland. Both will receive a 3 per cent uplift in 2025-26, taking annual investment to £9.78 million and £2.68 million, respectively.
We are also providing £12 million to local authorities to support free instrumental music tuition, and Screen Scotland’s groundbreaking film and screen education programme is supporting Scotland’s next generation of film makers. We are also calling on the United Kingdom Government to negotiate a youth mobility agreement with the European Union to ensure that young people can access the international opportunities of the creative industries.
What discussions does the cabinet secretary and his department have with education and training and skills colleagues? A third of Fife College’s provision, for example, is in the creative industries sector. The Scottish Funding Council has announced a rise for colleges of 2.6 per cent. However, I have looked into that further, and it seems to be broken down across the country, with Fife College receiving an increase to the teaching grant of only 1.6 per cent. Therefore, my understanding is that the grant that is being offered to Fife College represents a real-terms cut, despite the fact that a third of its provision is in the creative industries.
Does the cabinet secretary have discussions with colleagues in other parts of the Government to ensure that colleges, which are crucial to the advancement of the creative industries, are able to support people into those industries?
The first part of Mr Rowley’s question was about whether there are discussions with education colleagues about the provision of support in education and training in relation to the creative industries. The roll-out of the screen sector element of the curriculum across Scotland that I mentioned, which has a positive benefit in Fife too, is an example of that.
Mr Rowley has drawn my attention to a specific issue in the region that he represents. I would be grateful if he could forward the details to me so that I might be able to reply to the second part of his question in a more considered and broader way.
Will the cabinet secretary advise how the access all arts fund will continue to support the creative ambitions of children and young people across Scotland? Can he also provide an update on some of the projects that are under way as a result of the 2025 allocations?
The access all arts fund is supported by Creative Scotland and the National Lottery. I would be happy to put Mr Coffey in contact with the youth arts team at Creative Scotland to learn more about it.
Scottish Government funding directly supports the youth music initiative, which includes multi-artform strands. It will receive a budget uplift this year, taking our annual investment to £9.78 million. Within that, we will work with YouthLink, among other partners, to ensure that young people from all backgrounds have access to inspirational creative opportunities.
A recent survey of participants in the access all arts fund, which benefits children and young people, found that 92 per cent of recipients experienced a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing, while 82 per cent said that receiving funding helped them to overcome barriers to the arts.
Given the importance of that funding to enable children and young people to flourish in the arts and creative industries sector, what action is being put in place to ensure that that funding continues in coming years?
I am delighted to hear Mr Stewart’s welcome of the positive impact that arts learning, arts teaching and participation in cultural life has on young people.
We have increased the culture budget in Scotland by the biggest single increment ever and the intention is to continue the growth of that budgetary support for the culture sector. I would welcome Alexander Stewart’s support for that. I note that he voted against the budget, so I will work very hard to persuade him next year that he should vote for the continuing increases in culture funding that the Scottish National Party is delivering in government.
Palestine (Humanitarian Response)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how its international development work is supporting the humanitarian response in Palestine. (S6O-04547)
Yesterday, the First Minister announced an additional £300,000 to support humanitarian aid efforts in the Middle East through the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal and the Scottish charities the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund and Mercy Corps. That is in addition to our previous contribution of £250,000 to the DEC appeal, SCIAF and Mercy Corps, as well as £750,000 for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East appeal in November 2023. That funding has helped to deliver life-saving food, shelter and medical assistance for people across Gaza and the wider region.
Humanitarian needs continue to escalate. The DEC appeal has so far raised £3.8m in Scotland and the Scottish public can continue to make a donation to it.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that, in addition to the important support that he outlined, many other organisations have made contributions—sometimes in kind—to support those who are trying to cope with occupation and genocide. One example is the International Fire and Rescue Association, a Scotland-based charity that has donated a fire appliance to Dundee’s twin city of Nablus. However, the appliance has been impounded by Israeli military customs since last July. Is there anything that the cabinet secretary can do to press for the release of the appliance so that it can be used as intended to aid communities in Nablus?
Maggie Chapman is right to raise the fact that there is a broad range of Scottish charitable and third sector organisations that want to assist Palestinian people in their present time of great need and distress. It is not just the fire engine that she has talked about that is being prevented from entering Gaza; much of the aid that the international community would wish to provide to people in Gaza is not getting through either. I will use every and any opportunity that I can to add my voice and the Scottish Government’s voice to appeal to authorities everywhere that have a locus in this to allow aid to get through to help the people of Gaza.
On the Scottish Government’s international development work, following the previous portfolio questions with the cabinet secretary, he stated in a letter to me that
“none of the grants awarded under the climate justice fund have gone to for-profit entities.”
However, the 2024 annual report for one of the three organisations that received money from the climate justice fund appears to show net profits and proposed dividends. Will the cabinet secretary look into that again? In the meantime, will he tell the chamber what his definition of “non-profit” is?
The supplementary question does not relate directly to the initial question, but is there anything that the cabinet secretary can add?
I will try my best, Presiding Officer.
We are very careful to make appropriate decisions in relation to the humanitarian response in Palestine. However, as Mr Bibby has drawn my attention to, there is wider funding that is provided beyond disasters and emergency relief. I will look closely at the point that he makes and write back to him. I will look at the issue, but I am sure, Presiding Officer, that you would wish me to focus my remarks on the humanitarian response in Palestine, which I have done already.
Arts and Culture (Geographic Spread and Representation)
To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that its work to support and promote Scotland’s arts and culture is geographically spread and representative. (S6O-04548)
We are proud that our record funding to Creative Scotland this year supports a wide range of exciting new entrants to the multiyear funding programme, serving smaller, often rural communities. That includes Glenkens Community and Arts Trust in Dumfries and Galloway and the Lyth Arts Centre in the Highlands, which join existing members of the geographically diverse cohort such as Deveron Projects in Aberdeenshire and Dance North Scotland in Moray. It demonstrates that we are committed to ensuring that our support for the sector is distributed across Scotland, reaching the communities who need it most.
The Highlands and Islands region has a lot to be proud of in the realm of arts and culture, but I am aware that many organisations often feel that they are at a disadvantage, because it is not as easy for them to mix with officials or funders when informal conversations about what people are doing well frequently happen in the central belt. Will the cabinet secretary go into more detail on how the Scottish Government ensures that opportunities are available across the country?
I reiterate my very warm invitation for the cabinet secretary to come to Eden Court and hear for himself about the role that the theatre plays not only in fostering local talent and promoting arts and culture in Inverness and the Highlands but in ensuring that it is firmly embedded in the wider community.
I assure Emma Roddick that the voices, views, needs, interests, concerns and expectations of arts organisations throughout Scotland, regardless of where they are, are important to the Scottish Government and to Creative Scotland. Where we have strategic partnerships, round-table events and on-going dialogue, I am very keen to ensure that everybody who can and wants to take part is able to do so.
As a parliamentarian who represented a north of Scotland constituency for a long time, I know how important Eden Court theatre is. All organisations that meet established criteria are considered equally for funding, irrespective of the interactions that they might have in person with Creative Scotland. Meeting the criteria is the sole factor that determines a funding decision, and I urge Eden Court theatre to get in touch with Creative Scotland directly if it has any concerns.
I call Pam Gosal to ask a brief supplementary question.
The Tower Digital Arts Centre in Helensburgh, which is in my region, was saved from closure last month due to the hard work and determination of campaigners. Since 2014, the facility has provided regular cinema screenings and has served as a venue for concerts, election hustings and other community events. The potential closure of the venue would be devastating for the local community, which has limited cultural venues. Will the cabinet secretary congratulate the Save the Tower campaign group for its hard work? Will he outline what more the Scottish Government can do to support cultural facilities in the West Scotland region?
I am absolutely delighted to join Pam Gosal in commending the campaigners. One of the underreported developments in recent years, with the financial distress that has been felt in the cultural sector here and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, which has been existential for many, is that a great number of important cultural venues have been saved from closure. We should all be grateful to those who have been involved in the campaigns to retain them.
I assure Pam Gosal that, like me, colleagues in Creative Scotland are absolutely seized of the need to ensure that the funding streams that are available can go to venues and organisations around the country. That has already been rolled out in part through Creative Scotland’s multiyear funding programme. Other funding streams are also available.
I call Beatrice Wishart—please be even briefer.
The VisitScotland national events funding programme aims to support events outwith the central belt. However, one of the eligibility criteria is that there be more than 1,000 in-person attendees. That is an unreasonable ask for many small, rural and island communities. What can the Scottish Government do to enable a review of that requirement to ensure that such communities can access the fund?
In replying briefly, I note that VisitScotland and the national events strategy falls in the orbit of another ministerial colleague, but I will ensure that the point that Beatrice Wishart has raised is passed on to my departmental colleagues, because her point is, of course, entirely relevant for smaller areas or parts of the country that are further away from major population centres.
European Union (Policy Alignment)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with EU member states regarding Scotland’s alignment with EU policies, in light of the election of President Trump. (S6O-04549)
Regardless of the outcome of any US presidential election, and following the strong deregulatory impact of Brexit, the Scottish Government has always had a policy of aligning with the EU where it is possible and meaningful to do so.
In Scotland, we will continue to pursue that alignment across the full range of devolved policy areas. That will allow us to protect and advance the high standards that our fellow Europeans benefit from thanks to effective EU regulation, and will allow us to keep up with legislation that is in place across the member states of the EU.
I agree with the cabinet secretary and note that doing that is even more important following the election of President Trump, considering the volatile effects that his leadership has had.
It is reported that President Trump will visit Scotland in September. What plans does the cabinet secretary have for that visit and for engagement with President Trump? What will he say to him?
I can confirm to Mr Rennie that I do not have any scheduled meetings with President Trump in which I could raise the issues that he is outlining. There are also no plans in place or time agreed for any potential state visit, which is a matter for the United Kingdom Government.
Mr Rennie raises points about the challenges that have been thrown up in recent weeks and months, which make it much more challenging for all of us to protect our economic interests and free trade. To go back to the question, we will remain in dialogue on that with our EU friends, neighbours and allies. That is one of the areas in which Scotland house in Brussels does excellent work.
Independence
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its strategy to further the case for Scottish independence, in light of recent reported polling indicating a majority in support. (S6O-04550)
The Scottish Government believes that the best outcomes for Scotland will come if we ensure that more of the decisions about Scotland are taken by and for the people of Scotland. The First Minister is setting out a vision of a country free from child poverty, with higher living standards and with the powers of independence to create the kind of Scotland that we know is possible. We remain committed to publishing a final overview independence paper to give people in Scotland the information that they need to make an informed choice about their constitutional future.
People in Scotland are recognising the democratic deficit that we face. Given that growing public awareness, will the Scottish Government provide an update on how it intends to build on that momentum and continue informing the public, through civic engagement and public education, about the opportunities of Scotland becoming an independent country?
I agree with Karen Adam. It is important to say that the Scottish Government has set out and will continue to set out the opportunities that will come from being an independent country. We have set out our plans for the economy of an independent Scotland; for rejoining the European Union; for a new constitution with democracy, rights and equality at its heart; and for an inclusive and welcoming approach to citizenship, as well as a migration system that meets Scotland’s needs. The First Minister is also setting out our four priorities for government through a series of speeches. We will continue to speak about the issues that matter to the public so that people can have an informed choice about the future options that are available to them.
European Union (Membership)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will change its policy position in relation to an independent Scotland seeking to rejoin the EU, in light of the potential impact of US tariffs on the UK and the EU. (S6O-04551)
The increased global economic volatility following President Trump’s announcements on tariffs reinforces more than ever the importance of Scotland having the security, stability and opportunity that come with EU membership. The EU is a rules and values-based organisation, with a single market of around 450 million citizens. Given the present global uncertainties, the importance of sustaining a Europe of countries working together for peace, prosperity and progress has never been greater. For those reasons, we are profoundly committed to Scotland achieving membership of the EU as an independent nation.
I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer, with which I agree. Recent analysis by the office of the chief economic adviser estimated that Brexit trade barriers could impact Scotland’s economy by £4 billion. With the unreliability of the Trump pronouncements on tariffs, which are almost daily, does the cabinet secretary agree that we were better off in the EU than we are out of it?
Indeed, I agree. Brexit has been a huge backwards step that has sharply reduced access to our greatest international trading market while bureaucracy, costs, delays and complexity have been imposed on Scottish businesses. Recent Scottish Government modelling estimates that leaving the EU will reduce Scottish gross domestic product by at least £4 billion in the long run, measured against today’s GDP, compared with what the figure would have been under continued EU membership.
The Scottish Government is doing what it can to mitigate the damage of a Brexit that Scotland did not vote for, to minimise divergence from the EU and to ease Scotland’s return to the EU as an independent country at the earliest opportunity.
I was hoping that we would get some Brexit realism from Christine Grahame but, sadly, we were disappointed on this occasion.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that, given the impact that we are already seeing of US tariffs on Scottish exports, good relations with the US have never been more important? Does he share my concern about the potential closure of the US consulate in Edinburgh, which is being mooted by the US Department of State? Does the cabinet secretary acknowledge the excellent work that the consulate has done over many years? Will he join me in calling on the US Department of State to reconsider any plans to close that vital resource?
I join Murdo Fraser in paying tribute to the work of the consulate of the United States of America in Edinburgh. It has done a tremendous job over the more than 200 years that a US consulate has been in Scotland. Since 1798, there have been diplomatic relations between US diplomats and Scotland, and we very much value that.
I met Kathryn Porter, the consul general, this morning. The closure is a decision for the US Administration’s Department of State, but I observe that, in recent years, we have seen a significant increase in consular representation in Scotland. Many people would be extremely disappointed if the US were not part of the wider consular family of the international community that is based in Scotland.
That concludes portfolio questions on constitution, external affairs and culture.
Justice and Home Affairs
The next portfolio is justice and home affairs. I remind members that questions 4 and 8 have been grouped together, so I will take any supplementary questions after both substantive questions have been asked. Members looking to ask a supplementary question should press their request-to-speak buttons during the relevant questions. Again, there is quite a bit of demand for supplementary questions, so I make the usual appeal for brevity in both questions and answers.
Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for its work on tackling rural crime and preventing the theft and resale of machinery in Scotland, when it was first made aware of the proposals for the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which applies to England and Wales. (S6O-04552)
I know that the member has raised this issue before due to her interest in rural crime. It was previously thought that Scottish Government officials became aware of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill, which was a United Kingdom Parliament private member’s bill, in May 2023. Ministers have now been made aware that there was some limited contact from the UK Government at official level in November 2022, which was not highlighted again until May 2023.
I thank the minister for the answer, because she previously told me that the Government was only informed of the bill’s existence in May 2023, which gave it insufficient time to fully consider the bill’s implications for Scotland. However, she has just confirmed, and I am pleased to say, that the Home Office contacted the Scottish Government several months before. In February of that year, it contacted the Scottish Government to discuss the bill and the policy position in Scotland. Instead of agreeing to discuss the bill, the Scottish National Party wrote back to say that it did not have any comments to offer, which I find extraordinary.
Given the threat of cross-border criminal movement of farm machinery, which impacts many farmers in the Scottish borders, will the minister engage urgently with the UK Government to ensure that we can replicate the 2023 act as soon as possible?
The legislation has not yet been implemented down south, in England and Wales. My officials have been told that the Home Office is drafting the regulation, but the Labour Government cannot indicate a timeframe for that at this stage. Before considering potential implications for Scotland and what options might be available for Scottish ministers in order to replicate the measures, my officials have requested updates from the Home Office on the regulation’s progress and, once it is implemented, its effectiveness in mitigating equipment theft.
Many members across the chamber recognise the serious threats that rural crime poses to the communities that we represent. Will the minister outline how the Scottish Government is delivering on its commitment to continue to work with Police Scotland and the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime in order to develop and implement strategies to combat those who perpetrate rural crime, such as equipment theft?
The Scottish Government recognises the harm that is caused to individuals, communities and businesses by rural crime, and we fully support the efforts of the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime in aiming to tackle rural crime across the country. SPARC is chaired by Police Scotland and draws together key organisations and stakeholders from across the justice and rural sectors to provide a robust multi-agency approach to rural crime. The most recent SPARC update, from January this year, shows that the number of incidents of rural crime and the monetary costs of such incidents are both down compared to the figures at this point last year.
Prisoners (Early Release)
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the prisoners released under the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Act 2025 included some who had broken prison rules. (S6O-04553)
The Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Act 2025 allows most short-term prisoners to be released from prison after serving 40 per cent, instead of 50 per cent, of their sentence. A breach of prison rules does not form part of the exclusion or eligibility criteria for a person’s release from custody, as the process of using prison rules to amend a person’s liberation date ceased in 2001.
Figures that were uncovered by the Scottish Conservatives revealed that almost a fifth of prisoners who were released as a result of the Scottish National Party’s early release scheme broke prison rules while serving time. Our communities are rightly worried about the heightened risks of reoffending that come with that. Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is important that we do not have a perceived soft-touch justice system? What is she putting in place to ensure that our communities are safe?
With respect, I advise Mr Eagle that, given that Scotland’s prison population is in excess of 8,100, there is nothing soft about our justice system, but the reality is that it could certainly be smarter in rehabilitating people and, when appropriate, shifting from the use of custody to the use of custody disposals.
As I said in my original answer, it is now many decades—more than 20 years—since the system in which additional days were added to someone’s sentence ceased. We have to remember that our prison rules are subject to legal challenge. Nonetheless, they are always kept under review. It is important to recognise that, as a result of the correct planning that took place with the 2025 act and the earlier emergency release provisions, the return-to-custody rates were lower than the reconviction rates.
Will the cabinet secretary provide an update on the assessment that has been made thus far of the impact of the 2025 act in relieving some of the acute pressures that are currently being experienced in our prison estate?
The implementation of changes to the short-term release point that were made by the 2025 act resulted in the release of 312 individuals, and the act will have a sustained impact, with the sentenced population expected to be about 5 per cent lower than it would otherwise have been. Taking that action was essential to supporting the health and wellbeing of those working and living in the prison estate, and the implementation of the act has eased some of the immediate pressures in our prisons. However, the prison population remains at a high level, and the act is only one of a range of actions to get a more sustainable approach to the use of custody.
Antisocial Behaviour (Mid Scotland and Fife)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking, including through work involving Police Scotland and local authorities, to address antisocial behaviour in Mid Scotland and Fife. (S6O-04554)
We are committed to supporting Police Scotland and local authorities, which lead local responses to antisocial behaviour, involving prevention, intervention and enforcement. That enables a partnership approach that focuses on community safety as a whole and takes into account local need.
I recognise the impact that antisocial behaviour can have on local communities, which is why we have increased police funding to a record £1.62 billion this year. In addition, since 2008, through our cashback for communities programme, we have provided £130 million to support young people who are most at risk of being involved in violence, antisocial behaviour and crime. For example, between 2023 and 2024, £354,462 was invested in diversionary work with young people in the Fife Council area.
The minister may be aware of a number of recent reports of fire raising in Fife. More than 100 deliberate fires were recorded in March, with more incidents taking place throughout April. In the course of one day, seven deliberate fires were started, despite the extreme risk warning for wildfires that was in place. Fire raising creates huge risk of endangerment and damage to property, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has said that the increase has put a needless drain on resources. I know that the police and fire services are doing local work to run high-visibility patrols and engagement with local schools, but how is the Scottish Government engaging with local services to ensure that they are properly resourced and supported in that work? How is it ensuring that its approach to addressing antisocial behaviour is able to respond to local challenges such as those?
I recognise the direct impact of those incidents on communities, especially antisocial behaviour and fire raising, as Claire Baker has raised. I engage regularly with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, as it is in my portfolio remit. As yet, the issue of fire raising has not specifically been raised with me in those meetings.
The independent working group on antisocial behaviour published a report in February this year, and I am working with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Police Scotland to see how we can implement the report’s recommendations to tackle all types of antisocial behaviour.
Gang-related Activity (Young People)
To ask the Scottish Government what steps the justice secretary is taking to prevent young people from becoming involved in gang-related activity. (S6O-04555)
We have invested more than £6 million over three years to support the implementation of the violence prevention framework. That includes supporting Medics Against Violence to engage with young people on the consequences of violence, and YouthLink Scotland to deliver the no knives, better lives training programme to hundreds of practitioners and young people across Scotland. Through our cashback for communities initiative, we have provided £130 million since 2008 to support young people who are most at risk at being involved in violence, antisocial behaviour or crime. To date, the programme has reached around 1.3 million young people in Scotland.
Organisations across Scotland are working hard to tackle the root causes of the rise in gang-related activity. What steps is the Government taking to support organisations that are working in that area to collaborate, strategise and share learning?
I am thankful for the multiple organisations that are working extremely hard nationally and locally to tackle the root causes of gang-related activity. The organisations that we are funding through the violence prevention framework are working with local communities and multiple organisations, including in place-based work that is undertaken by the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit in Edinburgh, Fife and Glasgow. YouthLink Scotland works to co-ordinate and deliver the no knives, better lives training programme and resources to support, crucially, front-line practitioners, and the delivery of the Medics Against Violence navigator programme helps individuals and families to access the services that they need. The learning from that work is shared with others.
Gang-related Crime
To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with partners to tackle gang-related crime. (S6O-04559)
Disrupting organised crime groups, diverting individuals away from organised crime and reducing the harm that is caused by organised crime to individuals, communities and organisations remain priorities for the Scottish Government and its partners. Partnership working is a crucial part of the approach to tackling organised crime, as set out in Scotland’s serious organised crime strategy. The serious organised crime task force, which I chair, brings together law enforcement partners and representatives from the public, private and third sectors. The Scottish crime campus at Gartcosh enhances collaboration between key partner organisations in detecting and disrupting serious organised crime and terrorism.
I thank the cabinet secretary for all the on-going, important and impactful work that is taking place. The Parliament will be aware of the reports in recent weeks and months of the very serious situation in central Scotland, including in my constituency, with targeted instances of organised crime related to gang violence. Police Scotland is doing a remarkable job in Edinburgh, and I pay tribute to it and thank it for its actions and updates. However, I have had a concern for some months about the number of young people who are getting involved in gang-related crime in my constituency, in this city and across central Scotland. Building on the investment that was mentioned in a previous answer and the cashback for communities programme, is there any more resource for youth work providers at this really difficult time?
Ben Macpherson raises an important point. It is crucial to reinforce the message—as he has done—that Police Scotland has given the people of Edinburgh and those elsewhere that it is in pursuit of criminals. They are being tracked down. Police Scotland is on it and has made arrests, but I cannot say anything more about live proceedings. It is crucial that the police have our full support, because although they will always rise to the challenge, everyone needs to play their part by providing information to the police. People can do that anonymously via Crimestoppers.
It is also crucial that multiple agencies are focused on prevention. I mentioned the cashback for communities programme, and many other programmes are active in the Edinburgh area. I would be happy to provide information on those to Mr Macpherson or any other member. The cashback programme currently supports 16 projects and helps more than 3,000 young people in Edinburgh.
The Scottish Government treats criminals under the age of 25 with kid gloves however serious their crimes are, but senior police officers have said that criminal gangs are exploiting that. At the recent summit, young people themselves said that actions should have consequences regardless of age. Will the Scottish Government reconsider its attitude to criminals under the age of 25 and scrap its two-tier sentencing guidelines?
I say to Ms Dowey for the umpteenth time that it is imperative, particularly in relation to our young people, that we take appropriate approaches. We see that with the independent Scottish Sentencing Council approaches, which are based on evidence and what will actually work to deter our young people from crime.
I would have hoped that Ms Dowey would have joined this Government in condemning the criminal exploitation of our children. Those offences and the exploitation of our children are somewhat hidden and underreported. It is very clear to me and others that some of our young people are being exploited by serious organised crime and are viewed as disposable resources. It is imperative that we all stand together to combat the exploitation of our children for criminal purposes.
HMP Stirling (Noise Disturbance)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what the timescale is to adapt the HMP Stirling estate to address the ongoing noise complaints, in light of reports from residents that the noise disturbance is getting worse. (S6O-04556)
I am aware that the member attended a constructive meeting at HMP and YOI Stirling on 24 March to discuss the matter directly with Scottish Prison Service senior officials, during which SPS provided a comprehensive update on solutions. Scottish Prison Service proposals that are now in the final stage will change how particular rooms have access to fresh air. A timeline for the project is being developed and it will be shared with the member and other local representatives, including the local residents association, as soon as possible. SPS will then seek final comments prior to seeking formal planning permission from the local council.
I absolutely welcome the work that SPS staff do at HMP Stirling—that is not in question at all. However, the quality of the building absolutely is in question, and there needs to be an absolute cut in the noise disturbance. I have three constituents who have sold houses as a result of that in recent months, others who have declining mental health and others who have simply given up because they do not believe that change is coming.
Will the cabinet secretary ensure that the programme will be accelerated, that the trial noise reduction measures will be put in place immediately, that the planning application to make the measures permanent will be lodged immediately and that a clear date for the completion of the project will be provided, as she has already outlined?
I express my on-going appreciation to Mark Ruskell and to other MSPs including Alexander Stewart and the constituency MSP, Keith Brown, for pursuing the issue constructively and with sensitivity. I reassure the member that I will be meeting the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service after portfolio questions and that we discuss the matter regularly.
E-bike Misuse
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its work on antisocial behaviour, what discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government about tackling the misuse of e-bikes. (S6O-04557)
I completely understand the concerns over the misuse of e-bikes and other vehicles, and we are committed to collaborating with the UK Government where we can. I have therefore asked for work to be taken forward as a priority to develop a cross-party approach to the UK Government on how we can do more work together to tackle antisocial behaviour involving vehicles. We are also committed to supporting the police to tackle these issues, including by providing record funding of £1.62 billion to Police Scotland for 2025-26, to enhance its response.
This is the second time that I have raised the issue in the past couple of months. I am really concerned about antisocial behaviour in my city and elsewhere. The UK Government’s inactivity in dealing with the increasing problem of antisocial behaviour by e-bike users is galling, and I am afraid that its intransigence may lead to serious injury or even death. Has the Scottish Government asked the UK Government whether it will consider a licensing scheme to control e-bike use?
Antisocial behaviour involving vehicles is a shared challenge across the whole of the UK, and some powers, including those over vehicle licensing, are reserved. We are committed to working with the UK Government to improve community safety and to achieve our shared goal. E-bikes exceeding 250W or 15.5 miles per hour are classified as motor vehicles and require a driving licence, insurance and vehicle tax. Privately owned e-scooters cannot be legally used on public roads or pavements in Scotland, and off-road vehicles such as quad bikes require a licence to be used on public roads.
While the Scottish Government has not so far specifically requested an additional licensing scheme for e-bikes, I recognise that there are calls for further legislation. That is why I am keen to work with the UK Government on a cross-party basis to explore practical solutions. The member says that he has raised the matter twice, and I know that several members in the chamber have also raised it. Jim Fairlie and I have set up a group with interested MSPs, and I am happy to invite Kevin Stewart to the next meeting.
I call Sue Webber to ask a very brief supplementary question.
Any e-bike that does not meet the electrically assisted pedal cycle requirements is classified as a motorcycle or a moped, as the minister has stated. That requires that it be registered and taxed, and the rider requires a valid licence and must wear a helmet. However, we have seen some e-bikes exceed the speed for electrically assisted pedal cycles, and they should be classified as mopeds—
Question.
Thank you, Presiding Officer.
Can the minister outline how she is working with Police Scotland to ensure that e-bikes that do not meet the EAPC requirements are being—
Minister.
—seized by—
Minister.
I assure the member that we support Police Scotland and its partners in dealing with the misuse of vehicles. Enforcement is a matter for Police Scotland, and local policing teams are best placed to identify misuse and work to prevent future incidents. Police have the powers to enforce the law using public disorder or dispersal powers. I have reached out to the member to be part of the group on off-road vehicles, along with other MSPs.
Drones (Prison Infiltration)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports of criminals using drones to infiltrate prisons. (S6O-04558)
The use of drones to introduce illicit items into our prison estate is a current and credible threat, and it is one that the Scottish Prison Service and I are taking very seriously. I am pleased to inform the member that the Scottish Prison Service has been trialling preventative measures to negate the risk that is presented by drones and it is evaluating their effectiveness before finalising a targeted approach to this clear and obvious threat to safety in our prisons.
Information obtained from prisons shows that criminals are increasingly using state-of-the-art technology to avoid security. One drone was found to be full of mobile phone SIM cards, syringes and needles, together with tablets and suspected drugs. Violence among inmates will be an inevitable consequence of drone deliveries. What action can be put in place to ensure that the lives of hard-working prison officers are protected?
It is a fair and valid point. I will point to three specific actions among many that are being taken. There are measures to improve infrastructure, such as the piloting of the implementation of new window grills in some of our larger establishments. There are targeted reactive measures that involve the piloting of covert technology to detect when a drone is approaching or entering SPS airspace. There is also the drone detection pilot called Dedrone, which ended earlier this year. SPS is currently exploring other software and technologies that are on the market.
That concludes portfolio questions on justice and home affairs. Before we move to the next item of business, there will be a brief pause to allow a change of members on the front benches.
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