Audrey Nicoll
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Some consider that mobile phone use by children is so ubiquitous that bans in isolation are not enough to tackle the negative impacts. It seems that there is still some way to go to find a clear, evidence-based approach that safeguards children.”
“However, Ms Gosal’s motion reflects the concerns of many—parents, teachers, legislators, police officers and children—that overexposure to the use of mobile phones carries risks. I commend the work of many organisations to safeguard children in that space.”
“What an utter privilege and an amazing experience it has been to be a member of our amazing Scottish Parliament. I thank a number of people for making it happen: my loving husband, Alex; my wonderful son, Sam; my parents, Bill and Jean; and my sister, Susan. I also thank Maureen Watt, who has been a mentor and friend throughout.”
“I thank Pam Gosal for securing this debate on a Scotland-wide ban on the use of mobile phones in schools, and I congratulate her on her powerful and comprehensive speech.”
“Having entered politics later in life, I have often found it hard to understand why we think fractious discourse and debate serve the people of Scotland.”
“Amendment 41 agreed to. 17:45 Amendment 143 moved—[Martin Whitfield]— and agreed to. Section 10F—Register of foster carers: procedure for regulations Amendment 42 moved—[Natalie Don-Innes]— and agreed to. Section 10G—Register of foster carers: interpretation Amendment 43 moved—[Natalie Don-Innes]— and agreed to. Amendment 144 not moved.”
The complete record
Every one of 432 lines we hold for Audrey Nicoll, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 9.
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the net zero secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding how the recently announced proof of concept fund will encourage an innovative just transition in the North East Scotland region. (S6O- 04699)”
“Aberdeen welcomed the tall ships races for a second time in 1997, coinciding with the bicentenary of the renowned Aberdeen Line, a shipping company known for its excellence and efficiency. That event proved to be even more popular, with more than 500,000 people attending. The races are a cherished memory for all those who attended, as well as for the city itself. As a result, they have left a truly lasting legacy. In closing, I congratulate everyone involved in the organisation and running of the 2025 tall ships races in Aberdeen, including all the volunteers who will support the event. With their hard work, the tall ships races will remain a cherished part of Aberdeen’s legacy. I again thank Kevin Stewart for securing the debate and I invite anyone and everyone to visit the tall ships races in July. 13:03”
“As we have heard, Aberdeen art gallery has a stunning range of tall ship-themed souvenirs that have been created by local creators and makers that reflects the maritime history and sheer spectacle of the tall ships. We have also heard that there will be a programme of open-air gigs, which will see our very own Deacon Blue, Kaiser Chiefs and Tide Lines entertain visitors. It certainly goes without saying that this year’s tall ships races will greatly benefit Aberdeen city and the surrounding region. With that in mind, I reflect on the impact of the previous tall ships races in Aberdeen. As we have heard, the tall ships races first visited Aberdeen in 1991. Crowds of more than 300,000 flocked to the granite city to witness the great sailing ships and to enjoy a variety of performances.”
“To capitalise on that opportunity, local business and charities will participate in activities such as Charlie House’s “Curated on the Quayside” initiative, which will allow the north-east to further showcase local culture and produce in a wonderful open-air market event that will be held across the city, including in the area of the harbour. In addition to the economic benefits, the tall ships races provide a platform to showcase Scottish and Doric culture. Local musicians, artwork, and vibrant street performances will be displayed throughout the city. Aberdeen’s history and maritime contributions will also be highlighted in free informative events.”
“Like my colleague Jackie Dunbar, I extend my sympathies to the families of the two cadets who lost their lives earlier this week in the tragic incident involving a Mexican tall ship that was due to participate in the event. As part of the tall ships races, 240 young people living in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire will be offered the life-changing experience of joining the crew of a tall ship that will sail from Dunkirk to Aberdeen or from Aberdeen to Kristiansand. I am sure that the rest of the chamber will join me in wishing good luck to the young cadets who will be embarking on their first voyage. As we have heard, the tall ships races will bring a significant economic opportunity. Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce anticipates that it will inject tens of millions of pounds into the city and region’s economy.”
“I am very pleased that my colleague Kevin Stewart secured a debate that celebrates and highlights the return of the tall ships races to Aberdeen. As we have heard, the tall ships races are a wonderful opportunity for the city, the wider north-east and Scotland, and I believe that parliamentary recognition of them is fitting. I extend my thanks to Kevin Stewart for the debate—I wish him well—and I thank Jackie Dunbar for stepping in today. As we have heard, in 57 days, the tall ships races will visit Aberdeen’s shores for the third time between 19 and 22 July. During that time, the Port of Aberdeen and a whole host of other businesses and organisations will welcome at least 50 tall ships that will be visiting from all over the world.”
“We have set out an underpinning delivery plan in our biodiversity strategy, and significant steps have already been taken to become net zero and nature positive. Last week, the Acting Minister for Climate Action announced that we have invested more than £65 million through our innovative nature restoration fund, which supports hundreds of projects across Scotland to take positive action for nature. In the programme for government, we announced that we will continue to support our nature restoration fund in the next financial year and ensure that we are investing in protecting and restoring our precious natural capital and bringing environmental, social and economic benefits across Scotland. As I have mentioned, we introduced the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill in order to support that ambition.”
“Continuing on that theme, will the cabinet secretary advise how the Scottish biodiversity strategy will build on the steps that Scotland has already taken to address the biodiversity crisis, with particular regard to Scotland’s rivers, which are crucial to our environment and face the triple impact of more intensive flood events, drought events and rising temperatures? Gillian Martin: I am grateful for the opportunity that Audrey Nicoll has given me to lay out what we are doing to address the twin crises. It is very important that she puts those crises together, because we sometimes forget that they are inextricably linked. Investing in the restoration and protection of nature helps us to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change, as I said in my answer to Mercedes Villalba.”
“There is an upside to do with getting fish and shellfish to market. However, there is the downside that the agreement does not deal with free movement. If the UK Government had dealt with the Scottish Government properly in the run-up to the agreement, we would perhaps have been able to obviate all of that.”
“Previously, a large number of EU citizens were prepared to work in fish processing, but many of them have now left, and it is difficult to fill the jobs at many fish processing sites. The issue relating to access to market will be obviated and the position improved by an SPS agreement. The ability to get product from Scotland to the European Union will be significantly improved. That is a good thing. Will the agreement deal with free movement and the restrictions on people being able to work here? It will not. In fact, because of the Enoch Powell- type rhetoric that we heard from Keir Starmer the other week, we know that the UK Government has absolutely no interest in making sure that Scotland has the migration policy that we require. The answer to Audrey Nicoll’s question is that we have a mixture of two things.”
“Will the cabinet secretary set out what the main and most damaging points of Brexit have been for Scotland, particularly with regard to the fish processing sector in the north- east, and how, if at all, the agreement that has been reached will ameliorate those harms? Does he agree that, in the extremely uncertain economic and geopolitical environment that we currently live in, it is vital that Scotland has the security, stability and opportunity that comes with membership of the European Union through independence? Angus Robertson: The fish processing sector has suffered for two particular reasons since Brexit. The first is to do with getting the product to market—a market that is often, significantly, within the European Union—and the second is to do with the end of free movement.”
“The aim should be to support children in the right way and at the right time to prevent concerns from developing to a point where a child is in crisis and may need those high-intensity services and interventions. As I have already said, we will reinforce that in our upcoming response to the reimagining secure care report.”
“I welcome the minister’s statement and her consistent engagement with the Parliament and the Criminal Justice Committee on the issue. She has been clear before that the issue is not unique to Scotland and is complex. Will the minister therefore set out how our multi- agency approach in Scotland is bringing partners together in supporting the principles of getting it right for every child? Natalie Don-Innes: That ties in entirely with our preventative approach. I hope that the statement reflects that the key to making the best use of secure care and to preserving space for the children who need it most is to deliver on GIRFEC—lately, The Promise Scotland has helpfully communicated with us on that exact point. It means getting the right preventative and de-escalatory interventions in place at the right time.”
“Despite net zero and the benefits of clean technologies coming under attack, particularly by the Tories, I commend the work by developers, supply chain, Government and communities who are making a strong case for renewables. In my conversations with stakeholders in the renewables space, it has been clear to me that a stable policy environment, unity across the Government and stakeholders, and leadership from the UK Government—rather than the damaging decisions that we are currently seeing—will ensure a viable energy sector for Scotland for the future. 17:10”
“I do not think that we can have a debate about oil and gas without acknowledging the North Sea transition task force’s report, “Securing the Future of the Energy Transition in the North Sea”. Among the many points that it raises is the importance of public bodies, businesses, industry and Governments collectively creating the right conditions to bring investment and entrepreneurship to the North Sea, with the UK Government leading the way—which, at the moment, it is not. Without glossing over the challenges, there is a great deal to be optimistic about. Scotland is already punching above its weight to support the UK to become a clean energy superpower. Significant work is under way to attract investment, upgrade the grid and revitalise our ports infrastructure.”
“Scott Barr, Harbour Energy’s UK managing director, said: “The review is unfortunately necessary to align staffing levels with lower levels of investment, due mainly to the Government’s ongoing punitive fiscal position and a challenging regulatory environment.” Of course, the Acorn carbon capture and storage project has been the focus of continuous pleas from business leaders, parliamentarians and stakeholders urging the UK Government to provide investment certainty in the upcoming comprehensive spending review. As a recent letter to the UK Government from a host of parliamentarians set out, Acorn could be a major driver of economic activity and growth. It could unlock £7 billion in private investment, create 15,000 new jobs, protect 18,000 existing ones and generate £17.7 billion for the UK economy.”
“In my constituency of Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, I have already seen many brilliant examples of that transition, where oil and gas businesses are actively seeking and embarking on new opportunities in offshore wind, hydrogen transportation and accelerator programmes that will support start-ups and scale- ups. However, as we know, sentiment in the sector has been taking a knock. The increase in and extension of the UK Government’s energy profits levy by the previous Tory and now Labour UK Governments has damaged North Sea investment, with Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce highlighting that 10,000 North Sea jobs have been lost since the EPL was introduced in 2022. Last week, as we have heard, Harbour Energy, which is the UK’s largest oil and gas producer, confirmed that it would cut 250 jobs in Aberdeen.”
“The urgent need to deal with the risks of climate change and the challenges of an uncertain geopolitical and energy security landscape underpin the direction of travel of our energy industry. For more than five decades, Scotland’s oil and gas industry has supported thousands of well-paid and highly skilled jobs, underpinned a significant domestic supply chain and provided more than £400 billion of production taxes for the public purse. The North Sea is, as we know, a mature basin and the transition away from fossil fuels to a different, commercially viable energy mix, through the redeployment of the expertise and skills that are already in the energy sector, is of vital importance to Scotland’s economy and that of the UK.”
“That is not happening just in one town in Aberdeenshire, like Grangemouth—it will be happening to every town and village in Aberdeenshire. Entire livelihoods will be destroyed by the eco-zealotry of Gillian Martin, John Swinney and Keir Starmer. They are taking oil and gas workers for fools. What a disgusting organisation the SNP is.”
“Has the member taken some time to read the recent Scottish Renewables “Scotland’s renewable energy industry—supply chain impact statement”, which sets out some of the excellent inward investment, job opportunities and value to the Scottish economy that we have seen over the past year? Douglas Lumsden: I am all for the jobs of tomorrow, but we need to protect the jobs of today. We have seen 2,500 jobs being lost in the past year—that is down to policies from both the Scottish and UK Governments. Labour’s windfall tax will cost the north-east 10,000 jobs, as the front page of The Press and Journal last week made clear. That is an emergency for the north-east. I ask members to imagine, for a minute, a Grangemouth closing every week from now until 2030. Can anyone in the chamber truly appreciate what impact that will have?”
“There will be a brief pause before we move to next item of business to allow members on the front benches to change positions. Care Sector (Impact of United Kingdom Government Decisions)”
“The safety of vulnerable individuals must be at the forefront of all actions in our justice system. Can the cabinet secretary provide further detail on how Police Scotland ensures that personal information remains secure when it is shared with third parties? Angela Constance: That is an operational matter, but I am aware that, when a decision is taken to share a vulnerable person concern report with an external partner, which is an established procedure for Police Scotland, it uses a secure email encryption system to transmit the information in a password-protected format. That approach ensures that, as members would expect, sensitive data is transferred securely. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, cabinet secretary. I am pleased that we got through that without your voice giving out completely. That concludes portfolio questions.”
“As I come to the termination of my speech, I set that challenge down, along with a number of other broken promises. I will finish on one of the finest contributions to the debate, which will stick with me. It was from Rhoda Grant. As she said, the programme for government is a “long letter of apology” and a promise to do better. 16:44”
“The Deputy First Minister, in an intervention, when pushed by Murdo Fraser about the trade deal, turned the subject around to talk about failures of mandates in not complying with manifestos—which has been an aspect of a significant number of the contributions to the debate. Previous manifesto promises that were made by the SNP Scottish Government have failed to be delivered. We have heard about the causes of a lack or potential shortage of a workforce; yet, as Pam Duncan-Glancy rightly pointed out, the 84,000 young people in Scotland who are not in education, employment or training are a pool, which, when it comes to apprenticeships and skills development for what the country needs, would be a marvellous place to start. Will 84,000 young people be in training in 12 months’ time?”
“Previously, we have had First Minister’s mandate letters—in essence, a personalised letter to each cabinet secretary, setting out the outcomes that were expected of that cabinet secretary, how those were to be achieved and the time period in which those achievements had to be made. Clearly, we have a very finite time period of 12 months, so I wonder whether the cabinet secretary is able to explain why, this year, we have not seen the mandate letters for the programme for government. The previous ones were published and I would like to see the follow-up on that, because they are an accountability mechanism— which it is extremely important to have.”
“However, the reality is that the money must be raised following the disastrous and catastrophic economic situation that the UK Government was left in by the previous party that entertained that. I want to talk about the four priorities, and I am now very conscious of time. I welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to concentrate on eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate emergency and ensuring high- quality, sustainable public services. In particular, it would be beneficial for the Government to organise a debate about how that last element can be achieved. I raise the absence this year of what has existed in the past by way of a judgment on how well the programme for government has been achieved.”
“Martin Whitfield: I will, if it is short. Stephen Kerr: Martin Whitfield is talking about poverty. Kenny Gibson summed it up really well, and we should all agree: the best route out of poverty is a well-paid job. The Labour Government has just made it very difficult to create well-paid jobs. Does Martin Whitfield not feel a responsibility for continuing the poverty trap through that policy? Martin Whitfield: I am always grateful for an intervention from Stephen Kerr. However, I also look at the pay rise that the UK Labour Government has given to some of the poorest- paid people across the whole of the United Kingdom, through the rise in the minimum wage. [Interruption.] Stephen Kerr is indicating from a sedentary position that it gives with one hand and takes with the other.”
“The Government has identified poverty in different ways over the past 18 years, but I will use the phrase, “You know it when you see it.” Some people who are outside the Parliament will look at the complex discussions around poverty and, quite frankly and rightly, become exasperated, because they just need more money in their pockets. It behoves members, and particularly the Scottish Government, to look at the reality of the complex nature of poverty, as we have discussed. John Mason raised the massively important question of housing and the complex interlinking parts of that jigsaw. Indeed, the Liberal Democrat amendment talks about the devices that are available for us to identify poverty. If nothing else from the programme for government debate can go forward— Stephen Kerr: Will Martin Whitfield take an intervention?”
“Will the member take an intervention? Martin Whitfield: I will, if it is short. Audrey Nicoll: On the point about economic growth, earlier, my colleague Kevin Stewart intervened on the Deputy First Minister to highlight Harbour Energy’s announcement on the loss of 250 jobs. I press the member to ensure that our Scottish Labour colleagues do everything that they can to persuade the UK Government that its fiscal regime—in other words, the energy profits levy—is damaging Scotland. Martin Whitfield: We have heard on a number of occasions about the Scottish Government’s strong and developing relationship with the UK Government. Let us see how those discussions go. I turn to Jamie Greene’s points about the complex nature and causes of poverty.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the introduction of quota management groups and whether they would benefit fishers and coastal communities. (S6O-04612)”
“I join the Scottish Government, business leaders and colleagues in calling on the UK Government to support Acorn without delay. 16:22”
“I gently put that on the Deputy First Minister’s radar as part of a programme for government going forward. The skills of our existing talented oil and gas workforce are transferable and mobile, so it is crucial that we harness them here, in Scotland, to scale up our offshore wind sector. I very much welcome the creation of a new £2.9 million proof- of-concept fund to support the commercialisation of research projects with significant economic potential and an improved ecosystem fund to support the start-up environment. That is highly relevant to the north-east and the wider Scottish economy. I particularly welcome the removal of peak rail fares. That is an excellent announcement, and I welcome this afternoon’s debate on increased Scottish Government funding, should the Acorn project get the go-ahead.”
“In the energy transition ecosystem, the long-term sustainability of our workforce is crucial to securing investor confidence and continuing to develop the next- generation clean energy technology that is already globally recognised and delivering on many of the Scottish Government’s policy priorities. PwC’s latest green jobs barometer shows that Scotland has the highest proportion of green job adverts in all UK nations and regions, with the size of the green jobs market in Scotland having tripled since 2021. The north-east is already home to an incredible range of start-ups and technologies that have been successfully commercialised. I know that there is an appetite to tie in a new accelerator programme in the north-east to the national strategy for economic transformation.”
“The Scottish Government’s renewed focus on the economy over the past year or so has been very much welcomed across the energy industry. The fact that the current global environment for trade is challenging, not least because of US tariffs, makes it all the more important that our domestic policy gets it right for our businesses. The UK Government’s decision to increase employer national insurance contributions has increased the tax burden on businesses, with a disproportionate and hugely damaging effect on the most labour-intensive sectors. I welcome the First Minister’s update on supporting our food and drink sector and the development of a new six- point export plan to support exporters to diversify and grow their markets. Fundamental to the success of our businesses is having a skilled workforce.”
“The ambitious but focused scope of today’s programme for government is very welcome, given that, yet again, it is drawn together in the most difficult of times, as the UK Government chooses an austerity agenda that continues to limit Scottish Government actions and the fiscal context in which it operates. As the UK Labour Government continues to embrace the folly of Brexit, I welcome this programme for government, which centres on economic growth, tackling child poverty, improving public services and delivering on net zero. The climate crisis is very real. Scotland hosts an abundance of small and medium-sized businesses, including in the energy sector. They support well-paid jobs and play a fundamental role in the wellbeing of communities.”
“Technology, life sciences, renewables and green hydrogen, premium food and drink, and advanced manufacturing are some of the key sectors that the Government will pursue.”
“Will the First Minister expand on the six-point export plan? Which specific international markets will be targeted and through which export sectors, and how will the package of measures support Scottish companies to reach global markets at a time of particular economic uncertainty due to US tariffs? The First Minister: Audrey Nicoll highlights an important issue around economic volatility. Part of what the Government is trying to do in the programme for government is to make clear where we can take steps to support companies in navigating those examples of global volatility. We have a number of key markets, which are represented by the areas in which we have an international presence through Scottish Development International. We also have the benefit of the GlobalScot network, which helps us to establish connections.”
“However, I recognise that going through the court process can be extremely challenging for victims, which is why we are actively aiming to improve that experience through the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill. The key reforms in the bill are about embedding trauma-informed practice and introducing statutory anonymity for victims of sexual offences, and I hope that those measures will continue to support victims and will encourage public confidence in reporting. In addition to that, we want women to be supported by specialist organisations, which is why we will invest £21.6 million in delivering the equally safe strategy, which supports 115 projects.”
“As was highlighted in Katy Clark’s line of questioning, there are many factors behind changes in the incidence of sexual offences reporting. The latest increase is to be taken very seriously, and I hope that it reflects the fact that more women feel able to come forward. Will the cabinet secretary further outline what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that every woman who comes forward feels respected and supported throughout the whole process? Angela Constance: We all want women to feel that they can report sexual offences knowing that they will be taken seriously and treated with respect at each stage, from reporting to the police through to any court action.”
“However, it is more commercially viable if the Acorn carbon capture project has track 2 status. I join business leaders, the Government, colleagues and stakeholders in calling on Scottish Labour to put its shoulder to the wheel and demand that the UK Government provide urgent clarity on the project today. 16:05”
“At least one business in my constituency is seeking to transition to manufacturing hydrogen pressure vehicles for the renewables sector. However, key to that is funding a cost-efficient and safe option. Scotland has two Governments in relation to energy, and many of the levers that are required to develop Scotland’s hydrogen economy sit with the UK Government. One of those levers is the regulatory framework, without which progress is restricted, so I ask the cabinet secretary for an update on progress on developing the necessary regulations to further develop hydrogen infrastructure, power and storage. That leads me to my final point. Project willow, which has already been mentioned, has identified hydrogen production as one of the key pathways for the cluster.”
“The flagship hydrogen campus in the energy transition zone in my constituency is set to become home to a new green hydrogen test and demonstration facility, a multimillion pound collaboration between Energy Transition Zone Ltd and TÜV SÜD, which will help to drive forward the use of industrial green hydrogen and deliver the energy transition. This week’s Scottish Renewables supply chain impact statement reflects the progress that is being made in green hydrogen, including the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, which is pioneering developments in green hydrogen, and a highlight in the form of the Ardbikie distillery becoming the world’s first distillery to be powered by green hydrogen. I note members’ comments on transport.”
“Gillian Martin: As I have been listening to Audrey Nicoll, I have been reminded of the success of Aberdeen City Council in providing hydrogen for various vehicles. Is she aware that Aberdeen has made hydrogen a more attractive prospect for other cities, too? Inverness could be the next place for development, with its collaboration with Storegga on producing hydrogen and potentially powering its local authority vehicles with hydrogen. Audrey Nicoll: Yes, I am aware of that. That example goes to show that, although developments in Aberdeen have not been without challenges, they have led the way across Scotland, which is to be commended.”
“The Scottish Government’s hydrogen export plan recognises the opportunities that are arising from countries that are looking to countries that can provide energy from hydrogen at scale. As we have heard, Scotland is well placed to service future export markets for hydrogen, presenting us with a significant industrial opportunity. Not to disappoint, Aberdeen continues on its journey as a hydrogen city and has a strong track record as an area of innovation, working across European and domestic Governments to develop the working technology for hydrogen vehicles. In addition, the Aberdeen hydrogen hub, a collaboration between Aberdeen City Council and BP, supported by £15 million of Scottish Government funding, is making very good progress. That links to Sarah Boyack’s point about hydrogen being an issue right across the Government.”
“As the motion outlines, hydrogen represents one of Scotland’s greatest industrial opportunities since oil and gas. We have the energy history, skills and experience to be a driving force in the hydrogen sector in Europe and beyond. As we continue the transition to net zero, green hydrogen will play an increasingly important role, particularly in industry, as organisations decarbonise their operations. Underpinning the development of a hydrogen economy in Scotland is the Scottish Government’s hydrogen action plan, which commits £100 million of capital funding for renewable hydrogen projects and enterprise agencies, supporting businesses to access new opportunities.”
“However, today is about acknowledging and even celebrating the progress that is being made in Scotland’s hydrogen industry and about looking ahead to the future, so, in my case, what is needed is less higher chemistry and maybe a bit more higher economics. Scotland has ambitious climate goals. I have always believed that setting rigorous targets shows that we are prepared to take strong action. That action will be delivered through the just transition targets. Targets focus minds, they remind us that we must always do more and they make us innovate, which is important. Scotland is a treasure trove of innovators in the energy sector, including companies and investors who are now applying years of experience in the oil and gas industry to support the wind, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen markets.”
“It has been an interesting week to have a debate on Scotland’s hydrogen future. The week began with Portugal and Spain experiencing major disruption caused by failure of the power system, which underlined the fragility of the way in which we live our lives. It was a week in which crude oil refining ceased at Grangemouth and in which the Climate Change Committee reported that the UK Government has yet to change its approach to effectively tackle climate risks. This is not where we want to be. The window for keeping global warming within the limit of 1.5°C is closing. If we ever needed any more evidence that the world is running short of time to avert catastrophic climate change, this was it.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with stakeholders regarding the tall ships races Aberdeen 2025. (S6O-04583)”
“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) 3.”
“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? Angela Constance: 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.”