Siobhian Brown
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“However, because their grandparents were advised by the local authority to care for them under a section 11 order rather than a section 17(6) order, they are not eligible for the payment, as the minister pointed out. In my view, that is a technicality.”
“The Care Leaver Payment (Scotland) Regulations 2026 state that, to be eligible for the care leaver payment, a young person must have been looked after under section 17(6) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 on or after their 16th birthday, and they must also have left care or continuing care on or after 1 April 2026.”
“Young people who are subject to an order under section 11 of the 1995 act are not looked after for the purposes of section 17(6) and are therefore not eligible for the payment. Duncan Dunlop: I thank the minister for that clarification. I would like to raise a specific example.”
“More broadly, however, we have to recognise the vital role that kinship carers play in caring for children and young people. That is why, earlier this year, we published “Scotland’s vision for kinship care: our offer of support for families”, following the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act 2026, and int…”
“My personal favourite— The Presiding Officer: This is great, but it is general question time, and we need questions. Kate Campbell: Sorry. It is for the children, Presiding Officer. Being less tired was another good reason.”
“Kate Campbell: Last week, I was at Sanderson’s Wynd primary school to speak to the primary 5s and 6s, who are doing a module on democracy and decision making. I got the notification that I had been selected to ask a general question just as I was heading off to the school.”
The complete record
Every one of 364 lines we hold for Siobhian Brown, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 8.
“Amendment 67 comprises a set of changes that will support a key aim of VNS reform—parity of treatment for victims, where appropriate, regardless of where the offender is held. It will do that by ensuring that victims of child offenders who have been sentenced to detention in secure accommodation can benefit from the same rights under the VNS as victims of offenders who are held in prison or in young offenders institutions. Amendment 68 will deliver a recommendation from the independent review by introducing a bespoke decision-making process in relation to a child victim who wishes to join the VNS. A determination on who will receive the information will be made based on the child’s age, views and best interests.”
“We know that that approach is inflexible and causes distress. Amendments 66 and 94 will change that so that the approach is based on the nature of the relationship with the victim, not the current list. In situations in which a victim has died, it will be possible for a total of five people to join the VNS, rather than the current four. The Scottish ministers will also be able to enable more people to join the VNS by way of regulations, thereby ensuring future flexibility. That discretionary decision making will be underpinned by the code of practice, which will also govern decisions on a child victim joining the scheme. The code is to be published in draft, consulted on and laid before Parliament, reflecting its importance.”
“The Scottish Prison Service and the Parole Board for Scotland have been clear that amendment 85 would not result in a better service for victims. The additional process steps that would be needed would create delays for victims. Such barriers are at odds with our ambitions for VNS reform and the rest of the amendments on the VNS. I therefore urge Mr Greene not to move that amendment. Turning to the Government amendments, I will speak first to amendment 66, which is linked to amendment 94. Those amendments take forward recommended reforms to VNS eligibility when a victim has died or is incapacitated. Currently, when a victim has died, the first four eligible relatives from a strict hierarchical list can join the VNS, and when a victim is incapacitated, the highest qualifying relative from that list can join the VNS.”
“Further to amendments that were agreed to at stage 2 to reform the victim notification scheme, the amendments in this group will help to deliver a more trauma-informed approach to the VNS. The VNS has a criminal justice aspect and a forensic mental health aspect. The latter—the compulsion order and restriction order VNS— relates to victims of patients in the forensic mental health system who are subject to a compulsion order and a restriction order. All my stage 3 amendments will deliver reforms across both the criminal justice VNS and the CORO VNS, unless otherwise stated. I know that Jamie Greene will have the opportunity to speak shortly on his amendment 85 in this group. He is aware that we cannot support it, although I am sympathetic to the intention.”
“Will the minister agree with me and her Scottish National Party colleague Brendan O’Hara that the proposal is reckless and should be scrapped? Siobhian Brown: First, I need to highlight that, since 2017-18, there have been substantial year- on-year increases of funding to support the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The current annual budget is more than £97 million more than it was in 2017-18. This year alone, there is an additional £18.8 million in support for front-line services. We understand that this is not a cost-cutting exercise. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is undertaking a service delivery review, and there is a live, full public consultation. I encourage everybody to take part in that consultation.”
“Until the results of the consultation have been properly analysed, no decisions have been taken. Jackie Baillie: I thank the minister for her response, but it is the Scottish Government that has cut the fire service budget by millions of pounds, so, ultimately, it is her responsibility. The proposal to downgrade Helensburgh fire station is quite simply reckless. The station already has a problem with recruiting sufficient numbers of retained firefighters to cover the existing appliances, never mind the additional overnight cover under those proposals. In the previous year, the availability of appliances was at only 50 per cent at night and a staggeringly low 20 per cent at the weekend. That lack of coverage makes the downgrading short-sighted.”
“It is important to be clear that the Scottish Government is not downgrading fire station services across Scotland. Decisions on the location of fire stations, along with vehicles, equipment and the people who are needed to deal with responding to emergencies, are a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s chief officer. The emergencies that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responds to have changed significantly over the years. For example, dwelling fires have reduced by 20 per cent since 2013. At the same time, we have seen the risks of flooding and wildfires increasing. It is therefore sensible for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to carry out a service delivery review to ensure that its resources are in the right place at the right time. It is currently consulting on its review, with a closing date of 16 September.”
“The initial quit fighting for likes campaign last September attracted an average of 80,000 impressions a day through its four-week run, and 6,000 visitors accessed further information. I encourage everyone working with young people to engage with the quit fighting for likes campaign. The more young people who get the opportunity to think about and discuss this important issue the better.”
“Does the minister believe that projects such as quit fighting for likes can have a positive impact on young people who might be drawn into violence or, indeed, into filming and sharing violence without understanding the impact of the content? Siobhian Brown: I totally agree with the member. I have heard directly from young people and their families about how that has impacted them. In addition to experiencing physical assault, the filming and sharing of their attack online causes additional suffering. The quit fighting for likes campaign, which was developed by our violence reduction partner organisations, provides practitioners with resources to have conversations with young people and get them thinking about and discussing the impact of filming and sharing violent incidents.”
“The cross-party meeting provided an opportunity to hear views on what could be done to address young people being affected by violence and, critically, how to prevent violence from happening in the first place. We heard from those who attended that early intervention, through youth work, safe spaces and whole-family support, is key to tackling and preventing youth violence. Building on that, and on what we know is working, we are considering what more we can do to strengthen support for young people and communities. David Torrance: The rise of social media has arguably increased the accessibility and volume of violent content consumed by young people online.”
“The fearless service, which is part of Crimestoppers, has rolled out its be a legend, do it right campaign as part of a broader summer safety campaign that is aimed at young people, and Crimestoppers in Scotland will follow with a public awareness campaign about reporting illegal off- road vehicle use. I encourage all members to share that material widely. I also pay tribute to Councillor Allan Gow for all his valuable work on the issue. Youth Violence Summit 5.”
“When Police Scotland confiscates off-road vehicles for inappropriate use, the ease with which owners have them returned is deeply concerning, which I hope that the minister will address, and which Clare Adamson has mentioned previously. On a more positive note, I thank the minister for agreeing with me that a summer information and safety campaign aimed at promoting the responsible and legal use of off-road vehicles is required. What more details can she provide of any planned initiative for this summer? Will she encourage all users of such vehicles to act in a responsible and legal way and to stay safe? Siobhian Brown: I can confirm that we will launch two national campaigns this summer to promote responsible and safe off-road vehicle use.”
“Police Scotland has advised that the powers under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 are sufficient to respond to the misuse of off-road vehicles. However, the Government remains committed to doing all that we can to support enforcement and is open to further legislative action. Ministers have written to the United Kingdom Government seeking to work jointly to improve powers, including on reserved matters of vehicle registration. Work is also under way to review police vehicle seizure and disposal powers, including the retention period, and we are working closely with key stakeholders to understand the current landscape. Bob Doris: I think that some police officers on the ground might disagree with Police Scotland about whether the powers are sufficient.”
“My officials are working closely with Police Scotland, the Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators, Transport Scotland and wider stakeholders to review the statutory charges for vehicle recovery. Although the levies to which the member referred are a separate issue, I will ensure that officials take them into account as part of that work and engage with Police Scotland on how the system is working, to ensure that our communities can be kept safe from the harm that vehicle misuse causes. Off-road Vehicles (Community Safety) 6.”
“Antisocial use of off-road vehicles is a growing problem in Motherwell and Wishaw. There is particular frustration over the seizure and storage process, whereby vehicles are confiscated and people are able to pay a storage fee and reclaim their vehicle within a matter of days, only for it to be reused for antisocial behaviour. The police have expressed their frustration about that. What scope is there to strengthen regulations so that, for example, a higher fee for storage might be applied that would act as a deterrent, or for the police to have seize-and-destroy powers in cases of repeat antisocial behaviour? Siobhian Brown: I recognise the issue and understand the concerns that have been raised by the member and her constituents, which have also been raised with us in the working group.”
“Scottish Government safer communities and transport officials have not received any concerns from North Lanarkshire Council on the issue to date. However, I recognise that members who represent North Lanarkshire are concerned about it. The Government remains committed to working collaboratively with all local authorities, and it has engaged with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities as part of its work on off-road vehicle misuse. COSLA, along with Police Scotland, is represented on the road safety strategic partnership board. We continue to welcome input from local government in helping to inform the Government’s work in that area, which includes supporting a summer safety campaign. Clare Adamson: I have been engaging with the local police on the issue.”
“When I met Ms Regan last week, I raised some of the Scottish Government’s concerns. My officials will engage with stakeholders on the bill, and I look forward to the committee evidence sessions.”
“Indeed, the statistics for domestic abuse are the highest ever. All the while, perpetrators of some aspects of violence against women, such as commercial sexual exploitation, face no sanction at all, and yet the Scottish Government has shelved its misogyny bill and appears to be taking no action to protect women from violence. Will the Government now commit to introduce a bill that protects women against misogyny and back Ash Regan’s unbuyable bill in the hope of turning the tide on this abhorrent crime? Siobhian Brown: I met Ash Regan last week. As I said to the member, I think only a couple of weeks ago, the Scottish Government is not opposed to the intent behind the bill. As with all members’ bills, we will give the bill full and careful consideration and take into account the Parliament’s scrutiny of it.”
“We are committed to implementing “Equally Safe: Scotland’s Strategy for Preventing and Eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls”. This includes work to prevent violence from occurring in the first place, build the capacity of support services and strengthen the justice response to victims and perpetrators. Through our delivering equally safe fund, this year we will invest £21.6 million to support 115 projects from 107 organisations throughout every local authority in Scotland. Their activity covers a range of areas, including tackling domestic abuse, sexual abuse, honour-based violence, intimate image abuse and commercial sexual exploitation. Rhoda Grant: We are facing an epidemic of violence against women. Recorded crime statistics show that sexual crime, rape and domestic abuse continue to increase unabated.”
“Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is undertaking a strategic service review, and a full public consultation will be published next week. I urge anyone with any interest in it to please engage with that. I have been kept updated on the SFRS plans for the consultation and have received assurances that supporting evidence will be published alongside the consultation. I emphasise that it is about providing an optimal service to maintain community safety and inform final decisions. Robust evidence and data will need to be at the heart of decisions concerning any possible changes following the review. I reiterate to the member that I am always happy to meet him, and I will have a drop-in session next week if he would like to attend that. Fife College (Funding) 5.”
“Last year, when there was a fire at Breadalbane Street in my constituency, fire engines from Marionville fire station were some of the first on the scene, probably saving lives. A few weeks ago, when Cables Wynd house in my constituency unfortunately caught fire, fire engines from Marionville fire station were some of the first on the scene, again probably saving lives. Just last week, in a neighbouring constituency, Hawkhill court unfortunately caught fire, and in many people’s view, fire engines from Marionville fire station undoubtedly saved lives. Does all of that not make a compelling case that it is essential to keep a fire station at Marionville or nearby, despite the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete issues that need to be dealt with?”
“The capacity of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to provide emergency cover in any particular area is an operational matter for the service. Having said that, the emergencies that the service responds to have changed significantly over the years and it is right that it carefully considers how to adapt to the changing risks in order to remain effective and efficient, with firefighters being in the right place at the right time. The SFRS carries out detailed risk assessments based on a community risk index model that takes into account a wide variety of factors, including future population growth, industry and other hazards. Ben Macpherson: As the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service considers all of that, the population in Edinburgh, and particularly in the north and east of Edinburgh, is clearly and obviously growing.”
“Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Public Information on: Telephone: 0131 348 5000 Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: sp.info@parliament.scot”
“In this parliamentary session, commission bills will account for around 9 per cent of the legislation that has gone through the Parliament. I wish to place on record my thanks to the Scottish Law Commission for its sterling work over the past 60 years. Its work has transformed, through law reform, the lives of individuals and the operations of businesses across Scotland. I am sure that the commission will continue its excellent work for the next 60 years. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, minister. That concludes the debate. Meeting closed at 17:56. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“For example, there has been a shift in societal expectations as a result of the removal of the time bar for victims of historical childhood sexual abuse. In other cases, a different policy approach might be developed—for example in relation to adults with incapacity. That speaks to the independent status of the Scottish Law Commission and its relationship with the Government. In addition, not all reports are for the Scottish Government to implement; some sit with the United Kingdom Government. The most recent examples of such reports related to surrogacy, electoral law and automated vehicles. Therefore, the implementation rate is good, but it is important to note that, over the past 10 years, we have been getting significantly better at implementation.”
“The work to improve the implementation rate did not stop there. In May 2019, the DPLR Committee agreed to the remit of a working group to review the Presiding Officer’s criteria for designating bills as Scottish Law Commission bills that may be referred to the committee for scrutiny. The working group comprised officials from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Law Commission and the Scottish Parliament, and it was a great example of collaborative working with a clear goal. It made important recommendations on what further steps it might be appropriate to take to improve implementation. On Rhoda Grant’s points about implementation, there are sometimes good reasons for not progressing something.”
“Implementation of law reform is a challenge that many jurisdictions face, and I was interested to hear that, at this year’s Commonwealth Association of Law Reform Agencies conference, which was held in Malta in April, Lady Paton delivered, remotely, a reflection on the commission at 60 years in which she spoke about the collaboration and focus that are needed to ensure that recommended law reform happens. As is noted in the motion, in May 2013, the Parliament agreed a change in standing orders to allow certain SLC-derived bills to be considered by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. That change was intended to improve the implementation rate of SLC bills by ensuring that the workload of the Justice Committee, and its successor committees, within whose remit SLC bills invariably fall, would be less of a blockage to delivery.”
“That theme has been very much sustained, and it is no coincidence that the title of the conference that the commission is holding to mark its 60th anniversary is “Law Reform: Shaping Society?” Ensuring that Scots law effectively meets society’s needs has always been at the heart of the commission’s work. Clearly, the Scottish Law commission does not operate in a vacuum or an ivory tower. There would be little point in expert commissioners taking the time to carry out detailed, thorough and thoughtful work that results in recommendations if those recommendations were not then given careful consideration and taken forward.”
“It has also carried out extensive and detailed but essential work on statute law revision and on the consolidation of Scots law. After only its first year, the commission concluded that one of the requirements should be that, as far as possible, it work should be “intelligible and acceptable to the general public, in whose interests, fundamentally, all its work is done.” It was as important then as it is now that the public are aware that recommendations of an apparently technical or even abstract nature will, if adopted, have the effect of improving and modernising the law in such a way as to directly affect them.”
“The act was introduced to Parliament on 20 January 1965, received its second reading on 8 February and gained royal assent on 15 June—a remarkably fast passage for a bill, which is something that I am sure that we all aspire to in respect of Scottish Law Commission bills, too. The commission is now delivering its 11th programme of law reform, and, over the past 60 years, it has examined around 30 broad areas of Scots law. In addition, it has worked with its counterparts in England and Wales to examine a range of reserved areas of law, including insurance, surrogacy and automated vehicles. As part of its duties under the 1965 act, the commission also continues to examine the law for anomalies or defects that appear to it to call for changes to the law.”
“I thank Stuart McMillan for securing this important debate to mark the extensive work of the Scottish Law Commission over the past 60 years. The Scottish Government supports the motion and associates itself with members’ warm and positive words. I am delighted that the chair of the SLC, Lady Paton, is here, along with a number of other commission members, to hear in person what has been said. I give a very warm welcome to them and to Michael Clancy from the Law Society of Scotland. As we all know, on the 15 June, it will be 60 years since the Scottish Law Commission came into existence under the Law Commissions Act 1965.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill be passed. [Applause.] The Presiding Officer: That concludes decision time. Sheriffhall Roundabout”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Unfortunately, my app did not work, but I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Brown. We will ensure that that is recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-17858, in the name of Maree Todd, on the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill at stage 3, is: For 116, Against 0, Abstentions 0.”
“That investment seeks to help to prevent violence, reduce its harm and, ultimately, improve outcomes for young people and communities throughout Scotland. The cashback for communities programme is also having an impact on young people in the area. The latest report, which covers 2023-24, shows that 197 young people in East Ayrshire were supported through seven local cashback projects.”
“Can the minister say some more about the impact of the investment in violence prevention in my communities in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley and in communities across Scotland? Siobhian Brown: Since 2023, we have invested more than £6 million for the delivery of a range of activities through the violence prevention framework. That includes the work of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, Medics Against Violence and YouthLink Scotland’s No Knives, Better Lives programme, and the delivery of the mentors in violence prevention in schools throughout Scotland. Some of that work is being delivered in Ayrshire, including the delivery of the hospital navigators service at Crosshouse hospital emergency department and the extension of that approach into the police custody suite as well.”
“The commitment to a further three-year phase of the cashback for communities programme was included in the programme for government for 2025-26. To support programme delivery, up to £26 million will be made available, which is an increase of £6 million from the current phase. The programme is funded by money that is recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and it supports young people who are at risk of becoming involved in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending. Information relating to the programme is available on the cashback for communities website, and the programme is open to applications from Thursday 12 June. Willie Coffey: It is crucial that young people who are at risk of being drawn into criminal activity have access to support and to projects such as cashback for communities.”
“If a party to a case considers that another party is causing unnecessary delay, they can raise that with the sheriff. I recognise the negative effect that non- compliance with contact orders can have on a child. Where somebody believes that another person has not obeyed a court order, they can ask the court to vary the order to hold the person in contempt of court. There is a provision on penalties for contempt of court in section 15 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, including a fine or imprisonment. Conducting proceedings in such a manner amounts to an abuse of process and may also involve contempt of court and result in penalty. In addition, it is open to the court to use its power to regulate the expenses arising from the court action to penalise a party for their conduct in the course of proceedings.”
“Can the minister advise whether work is in hand to amend the rules and guidance around civil cases to allow parties to a case engaged in such behaviour—in particular in cases of family dispute involving children—to potentially be subject to sanction where needed for the proper functioning of the courts? Siobhian Brown: Delay in child contact proceedings is not in the child’s best interests. We plan to make further commencement regulations later this year in relation to the Children (Scotland) Act 2020, including section 32, which requires the court to consider how delays in contact cases can have a negative impact on the child’s welfare. Case management rules for family actions in the sheriff court came into effect in September 2023 and are intended to help prevent undue delay in proceedings relating to the welfare of children.”
“The Scottish Government is taking a variety of steps to modernise family law and ensure the efficient functioning of the civil court system. For example, we recently laid commencement regulations to commence some further provisions of the Children (Scotland) Act 2020. We plan to make further commencement regulations later this year and intend to lay Scottish statutory instruments on the regulation of child contact services. We have also convened a working group on child welfare reporters to consider how the current system is working in practice and what is needed for the new register of child welfare reporters. Emma Harper: As things stand in our court service, there are no meaningful penalties that can be dispensed by sheriffs in cases where one party to a case is purposely engaged in delaying tactics for their own gain.”
“Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Public Information on: Telephone: 0131 348 5000 Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: sp.info@parliament.scot”
“What support is intended for those who are involved in prostitution, and what is the cost of that? I note that we cannot support quashing previous convictions. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Rhoda Grant: Will the minister take an intervention? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Minister, are you taking the intervention, or have you concluded? Siobhian Brown: I have concluded. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate. Meeting closed at 17:47. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“The Scottish Government’s focus will remain on providing a sustainable pathway to enable those who are involved in prostitution both to exit and fulfil their potential in a sustainable manner. It remains imperative that we change the culture that drives the acceptability of violence against women and girls and commercial sexual exploitation. Therefore, we will continue to look for opportunities to support that change through educational and public awareness initiatives. As I said to Mr Kerr and Ms Regan, the Scottish Government is not opposed to the intent behind the bill. As with all members’ bills, we will give it full and careful consideration and take into account Parliament’s scrutiny of it. However, I must raise a few concerns that I have about the bill at the moment. How will it work in practice?”
“Those online challenges are why we are providing funding to support Police Scotland’s work to tackle the online aspects of commercial sexual exploitation, increasing its capability in that area— Stephen Kerr: I am not sure that I understand what the minister is saying the Government’s position is in relation to the bill. I think that she said that she was going to talk about that, but she seems to have moved on. Can she be— Siobhian Brown: I said that I would get to that at the end—I will come on to that. That is why we are providing funding to support Police Scotland’s work to tackle the online aspects of commercial sexual exploitation, which is increasing its capability in that area and helping to inform our approach on how to better reach victims. Rhoda Grant came to a meeting on that with Police Scotland recently.”
“Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government is not opposed to the intent of Ms Regan’s proposed bill, but I will touch on a few of our concerns later in my speech. We must be mindful of the challenges online and the need to keep pace with them. Rhoda Grant, Bill Kidd and Carol Mochan mentioned that issue, particularly the websites. The regulation of the internet and online services remains a reserved matter, but there is an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill going through Westminster, which addresses the issue, and my officials are talking to the Home Office about it. My officials are meeting Ofcom tomorrow to further discuss online safety in respect of human trafficking.”
“Both scenarios have led to a review of the approaches in those countries. The Scottish Government is working with Police Scotland to better understand any additional powers that it considers are required and the reasons why, in order to effectively tackle demand, particularly online. Rhoda Grant: With any piece of legislation, there must be tweaks to ensure that it works properly, but does the minister agree that in the countries that she mentions that have had to make tweaks and invest more in training and support, the legislation is working well and is preventing violence against women? We could learn from that and put in place legislation that would save many women from suffering violence at the hands of perpetrators. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Minister, I can give you back the time for the intervention.”
“Ensuring that local stakeholders are better connected and have clearer links to local police will help to ensure that women have supported access to justice and have clearer routes to local support. A joined-up response will also help us to take a preventative approach to tackling exploitation. Informed by the implementation of begonia, the Scottish Government will always consider what more we can do to combat commercial sexual exploitation. Taking an evidence-based approach, we will consider what further intervention is necessary. Earlier, I referenced, as did Rhoda Grant in her motion, the importance of learning from international experience. I am therefore mindful of the difficulty that Ireland has had in policing the legislative framework that it was presented with, and of the lack of cohesion within support services in France.”
“I want any women with experience of commercial sexual exploitation to feel able and comfortable to engage with police to report concerns and to access justice and trauma- informed support, if they so wish. The new police approach includes the development of new training and awareness programmes, the first of which will take place this month. We are also working with Police Scotland to help to strengthen the connections between the police and local support provision, as the relationships between the police and local support services play a key role. Later this month, I will visit a local stakeholder network that supports begonia in Aberdeen. We will build on that good practice and will hold a meeting in Edinburgh this month to discuss establishing a similar network with local organisations here.”
“Siobhian Brown: I will go on to talk about online, because work is being undertaken in that area as well. We have provided funding to support the patrols are currently operational across Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow and we will work with Police Scotland to build on that. I recently visited Dundee to see operation begonia in practice, and I was able to see the difference that it makes. This year, operation begonia has carried out 100 patrols, resulting in 42 men being charged and 62 women being routed to support services. As Detective Superintendent Steven Bertram, the lead on prostitution for Police Scotland, said: “This is about building trust and confidence in policing.” I agree that that is key.”
“The new Police Scotland approach, known as operation begonia, was adopted at the end of April, and it recognises that those who are involved in prostitution are victims of exploitation. It will ensure that police use the powers that are available to them to challenge demand. Through dedicated patrols in areas where street-based prostitution takes place, police will challenge and deter men’s demand. Ash Regan: On the point that the minister has just raised, the powers that the police have are only for combating on-street prostitution. We think that we know—the data is a bit sketchy—that 90 per cent of prostitution has moved indoors. Therefore, is it not now the time to update the law and to give the police the powers that they need to combat prostitution?”
“I thank Rhoda Grant and all those in the chamber this evening for their considered contributions on tackling and combating commercial sexual exploitation. Let me be very clear at the start—we all want to see an end to commercial sexual exploitation in Scotland. I will take this opportunity to outline what the Scottish Government is doing to combat it. I take on board John Mason’s point that he feels that there has not been much progress. Although there has not been any legislative progress in recent years, some things are under way. I recently invited Rhoda Grant and other MSPs to an update on the work that we have been doing with Police Scotland to agree a national approach to prostitution.”