The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 270 contributions
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 11 January 2024
Ash Regan
I would like to move on to the policy underpinnings. It seems that the policy has been based on the Yogyakarta principles, which are merely opinion, I would say. They do not have status in international law and they do not have any legal standing. Would you not say that it seems to be a bit disturbing to base an important prisons policy about protecting people on those principles and not on things such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Istanbul convention or the Bangkok rules. I would say that it is a serious omission that those international obligations do not seem to be referenced or referred to in the policy. Why are the SPS and the Scottish Government ignoring their international obligations in this matter?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 11 January 2024
Ash Regan
We will have to agree to disagree on that. I have in front of me a number of submissions from experts who have been watching the policy’s development over the past five years very carefully, and they would completely disagree with your position on that. They say that the policy does not protect the safety of women. I am not just referring to physical safety—I am also referring to issues such as psychological harm. I am sure that Ms Medhurst will understand where I am going with that.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 11 January 2024
Ash Regan
So we would not have to rely—
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 24 October 2023
Ash Regan
Can you detail what proactive steps you are taking to ensure that any further cost increases will be kept down to an absolute minimum?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 24 October 2023
Ash Regan
You said in your written update and you repeated in your opening statement that the design work is now largely complete. However, you also have a contingency of £30 million at this stage of the project. If the design work is complete, why the need for the £30 million contingency?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 24 October 2023
Ash Regan
There was the announcement recently of further cost increases, which will be of concern to many people who have been watching the costs increase over the past period. Could you outline the reasons behind this latest increase to costs?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 24 October 2023
Ash Regan
You spoke in your opening statement about material cost rises. Is that due to different materials being required or is it due to inflationary pressures that we see at the moment?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 24 October 2023
Ash Regan
You have a current revised cost estimate and you have a current predicted delivery date. How confident are you that you will meet both of those?
Economy and Fair Work Committee
Meeting date: 4 October 2023
Ash Regan
I was going to ask about the relationship with the Scottish National Investment Bank, but you have covered that. However, I will ask the other two agencies whether they have a similar relationship. Is that relationship working well? Do you have the opportunity to direct companies to the right support at the right time?
Economy and Fair Work Committee
Meeting date: 4 October 2023
Ash Regan
Stuart, do you want to add anything?