Angela Constance
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Patients deserve better. There have been active campaigns by members across the chamber to represent the views of constituents in Lanarkshire, including by my colleagues Neil Gray and Fulton MacGregor. I fully appreciate the strength of feeling on the need for a new Monklands hospital.”
“Proceeding in that cost envelope would significantly limit our ability to invest in services and infrastructure across the wider NHS. I have carefully weighed the opportunity cost against our objective on improving public services. The current proposal also raises important questions about value for money.”
“For the wider system, it will reduce pressure on acute hospitals, allowing focus on those who need specialist care most. I can announce today that, as part of the programme, specifically for Lanarkshire, we will begin with a new general practitioner walk-in facility in Lanark—transforming an old shop front and a retail park in the town ce…”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to provide an update to members on NHS capital projects, specifically on the current position and next steps for the Monklands replacement project. I begin by being absolutely clear: the Government will deliver a new Monklands hospital. That commitment has not changed and it will not change.”
“During the election campaign, the Scottish National Party promised to increase use of the new refugee doctors project, which is meant to help medically trained refugees from Gaza and other places to get registered for work in the national health service.”
“Scotland welcomes refugee doctors and is committed to supporting them in overcoming barriers that prevent them from rebuilding their medical careers.”
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“The 2026-27 Scottish budget will provide record funding of more than £1.7 billion for policing, which is a total increase of £81.5 million, or 5 per cent, compared with the published 2025-26 autumn budget revision. We will also provide an additional £3 million per year in each of the next three years to support Police Scotland’s successful work on tackling retail crime and an additional £2.7 million in 2026-27 to support Police Scotland’s work in the detection and disruption of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The chief constable recently confirmed at the Criminal Justice Committee that that budget allocation will allow her to prioritise front-line services for our communities and to ensure that she can maintain officer numbers at 16,500 in the coming year.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I lost connection to the voting system. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you,”
“The regulations add the characteristic of sex to the existing legislative framework that is contained in the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021. They have been introduced because we are not prepared to leave a gap in protection for women and girls in hate crime legislation. They deserve protection alongside other groups that are already protected by the hate crime legal framework.”
“For example, the data demonstrates that the model in Lanarkshire has had a very good result, which is similarly true for Ayrshire and Arran, and that points to the need to scale up such models at pace. Regarding mental health provision, Ms McNeill might be interested to know that £3.5 million has been invested to expand the 24/7 response to mental health emergencies, a new crisis framework for children and young people is in place, and NHS 24 mental health support has expanded to include psychological therapies. Those policies have been helpful. There is also cross-collaborative work between the Scottish Ambulance Service, the national health service and Police Scotland to deal with high-intensity users.”
“This morning, the chief inspector of constabulary said that, when he talked to people who had been in receipt of the service, they found it quite scary when the police turned up, and that that actually made the situation worse for them. Given that the gap needs to be addressed, what more can the cabinet secretary say to assure me that we are shaping services in a different direction to ensure that police officers are not picking up that wider societal problem? Angela Constance: I very much recognise the frustration. In many circumstances, the situations that Ms McNeill has narrated are unacceptable, from a policing point of view and from the point of view of caring for people. There are examples of good work being done, particularly through community triage models.”
“Mental health- related calls now represent one in five of all incidents that police officers attend, and only 15 per cent of those involve criminality. That is now the biggest single reason why police officers’ time is unnecessarily taken up. At a recent meeting of the Criminal Justice Committee, Scottish Government adviser Dr Robby Steel said that there is “a gap in provision” for many people who are having a mental health crisis. He went on to say: “The reason that I point out the gap is that there is a limit to the extent to which the police and the NHS, working together, can solve this problem. It is a broader societal problem.”—[Official Report, Criminal Justice Committee, 18 February 2026; c 22.] In effect, Police Scotland finds itself responsible for dealing with people in that gap.”
“I appreciate the member’s question on that matter, and I recognise the pressures that have been highlighted. We are working with a range of partners, including Police Scotland, health boards, local authorities and third sector organisations, to deliver improvements, and that shared approach is helping to make a difference. Since 2019, the Scottish Government has invested more than £18 million in the enhanced mental health pathway, which directs suitable emergency calls to the 24/7 NHS 24 mental health hub, and that has redeployed 76,000 police hours. That sits alongside initiatives such as distress brief intervention, which reduces unnecessary call-outs and ensures that people who are in distress receive timely and compassionate support. Pauline McNeill: I recognise the on-going work that the cabinet secretary refers to.”
“How will enfranchising those prisoners reduce crime and support victims? Angela Constance: I am not sure whether the member was in Parliament in 2019 when the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill was passed. So far, that is the only piece of Scottish Parliament legislation to require and obtain a supermajority—there were 92 votes in favour and 27 against. The member might be interested to know that, in November 2019, the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, in its stage 1 report on the bill, unanimously agreed that “the blanket ban on prisoner voting is unsustainable as it is at odds with European Convention on Human Rights.” Further to that, in the 2021 elections, 38 prisoners were registered to vote and, in the 2022 local government elections, 49 eligible prisoners were registered.”
“The Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service are working with the Electoral Commission and electoral registration officers on communications with prisoners ahead of the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May. The deadline to register to vote in the election on 7 May is 20 April, and that deadline will be highlighted in our prisons. Only prisoners who are serving sentences of 12 months or less are entitled to register to vote. As of 6 March, there were 609 prisoners in Scotland serving sentences of 12 months or less. Sandesh Gulhane: The Scottish National Party Government continues to give prisoners the vote of confidence by allowing offenders who are serving sentences of 12 months or less the right to vote in the upcoming election. Those 609 prisoners include people who have committed sexual and violent crimes.”
“In addition, the delivering equally safe fund is being increased by 5 per cent in the next financial year, so there will be a total investment of almost £46 million over 2026 to 2028 to ensure that recipients can continue their vital work to prevent violence and support survivors.”
“Angela Constance: I whole-heartedly echo that point about the important role that the third sector plays in society. It provides support and information to those who are affected by crime, it supports the rehabilitation of those who are involved in the justice system to reduce reoffending, and it diverts young people from crime through our cashback for communities programme. The Scottish Government’s budget underpins our commitment to the victims and survivors of crime. We will continue to support 23 organisations as part of our £18 million victim-centred approach fund, which includes more than £6 million for specialist advocacy support for survivors of gender-based abuse.”
“We will invest £4.6 billion across the justice system in 2026-27 to support this Government’s priority of high-quality and sustainable public services and the delivery of essential front-line justice services. That includes record funding of more than £1.7 billion for policing, more than £1.1 billion for the Scottish Prison Service and community justice services and £436 million for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Scotland is a safer place since this Government took office, with recorded crime down 38 per cent since 2006-07. Recorded crime has halved since the peak in 1991. The increased investment across the justice system in 2026-27 will help to keep our communities safe. Evelyn Tweed: Charities play an important role in supporting people who engage in the justice system. How will the 2026-27 budget support their work?”
“Although I was more than happy to secure that additional funding, we now cannot invest that money elsewhere in our public services due to the increase that was imposed on us by the UK Government. Budget 2026-27 (Justice Public Services) 3.”
“However, in the light of the United Kingdom Labour Government’s national insurance hike, which is affecting our public sector in general, is the Scottish Government continuing to press the UK Government to cover those extra costs? Angela Constance: We have called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to fund those costs in full, but she has failed to do so. The UK Government’s failure to fully fund its increase to employer national insurance contributions has left public services in Scotland with a total bill of more than £700 million. We have provided an additional £15.2 million of baselined funding to Police Scotland to compensate for the UK Government’s tax in that regard.”
“The Scottish Government is reducing crime by prioritising prevention and early intervention, and by addressing root causes such as poverty, inequality and drug or alcohol-related harm. It is implementing measures to tackle organised crime, violence, hate crime, cybercrime and human trafficking. That work is guided by “The Vision for Justice in Scotland”, which sets a transformative framework for creating safer communities. We recognise the vital roles of police officers and staff, so we are investing over £1.7 billion in policing for 2026-27, which will enable Police Scotland to deliver priorities, strengthen front-line services and progress its three-year business plan. George Adam: I welcome the policing funding from the Scottish Government.”
“I welcome the committee’s report, which will help to inform further action to support people in SPS’s care, keep staff safe and improve those crucial transitions. All that will sit within the Prison Service’s 10-year alcohol and drug recovery strategy, which was published in 2024 and which provides a framework for improving outcomes. I am encouraged by the level of cross-party support on the issues. The work to reduce harm from substance use in prisons and in the community will need on-going cross-party support and a continued focus in the new session of Parliament. 16:00”
“The importance of rehabilitation and supported transitions from custody is also highlighted, which is why we are investing £5.3 million each year in Upside, which is a voluntary throughcare service to support short-term offenders or those on remand who leave prison. We greatly value the role of third sector providers in prison and in the community. There is an increasing shared understanding of the harmful and evolving nature of illegal drug supply in prisons, including concerns about the rise in use and strength of synthetic drugs, their impact on people in custody and on staff, and the importance of access to effective rehabilitation and support. I have discussed those issues with the chief executive of the Prison Service, which is managing that highly complex environment.”
“The commission has provided an opportunity for the Parliament to make bold, evidence-based changes across the justice system, with a renewed focus on prevention and reducing reoffending, leading to better outcomes for individuals, communities and our justice system as a whole. People in prison often face significant disadvantage, including complex health needs, and we are committed, with the NHS, the SPS and others, to ensuring that prison healthcare is at least equivalent to the healthcare that is available in the community, as I have said. The committee rightly highlights the importance of mental health services, alcohol services and healthcare more generally, and we support that position.”
“The introduction of the regime and roster operational review will protect purposeful activity and time out of cell by ensuring that staff are available at peak times. I have kept the Parliament updated on critical issues in relation to the prison population and the actions that have been taken and pursued that have been or are essential to ensure the safe running of the estate for those in custody and our hard-working staff. I have set out to the Parliament the Government’s initial response to the sentencing and penal policy commission’s report, which was published earlier this month.”
“I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of all those staff in all those organisations to keep people in our care and their colleagues safe. In 2026-27, we are investing just over £1 billion in our prisons to support front-line staff and progress improvements in the prison estate. That includes an uplift of nearly £21 million in the resource budget of the Scottish Prison Service, bringing the total resource budget to more than £509 million. That will help to meet costs that are linked to the change in prison population and enable the Prison Service to continue to deliver a safe and secure system. The SPS is working to make the best use of capacity. Reducing the risks that lead people to develop new drug dependencies in prison is a priority.”
“As Ms Nicoll said, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service have provided a joint initial response to the committee’s recommendations. I hope that it is helpful to members. I recognise the importance of the areas that have been identified by the committee, including ensuring that prevention and early intervention are as fully integrated as possible into approaches in custody and that the support that people receive is equitable with the support that is received in the community. As the Parliament is aware, and as the committee has recognised, we have a high and increasingly complex prison population. Preventing supply, keeping people safe and managing the impact of substance use in prisons places a significant demand on the Prison Service, our national health service colleagues and other partners.”
“Ms Todd and I were very pleased to be able to attend the committee last year to support the inquiry in its evidence gathering and consideration. I thank all who participated in the inquiry, and I note the committee’s appreciation of the informal, private engagement of people with lived and living experience of substance misuse in prison and of family members affected by imprisonment. Such insights are hugely valuable and help to shape meaningful improvements. I also acknowledge and show my appreciation for the briefings that were provided by the Prison Officers Association Scotland and Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems. I say to both of those organisations that the issues that they raised will continue to be a feature in my endeavours and in the discussions that I have with the Scottish Prison Service leadership.”
“I give my thanks to Audrey Nicoll in her capacity as convener of the Criminal Justice Committee. I will start by echoing the committee’s conclusion that a public health approach is desirable. We see it as a public health approach but with justice consequences. It is absolutely imperative that we interrupt the supply of drugs, but we also need to continue our work to reduce the demand for drugs through prevention, treatment, recovery and tackling stigma. That applies in the community, and it should also apply in our prison establishments. I very much welcome the Criminal Justice Committee’s inquiry into the harm that is caused by substance misuse in our prisons, its report and the opportunity to debate the key issues and reflect on the impact that they have on those living and working in prisons.”
“I know that Mr Greene has a particular interest in section 55, which requires the Parole Board for Scotland to consider whether a prisoner has revealed information about a victim’s remains, and section 56, on measures around the safety of victims. In relation to section 34 specifically, Mr Greene moved an amendment at stage 3—and, yes, it was agreed to; that was the will of the Parliament. I stated then that the provisions are operationally complex and that careful consideration of them is required. I assure him that we will keep the implementation of the provision under review while we continue our discussions with the Crown Office. It is important that we consider operational implications and readiness. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 (Alignment with Fair Trade) 4.”
“I know that the Government did not support the provision, but it was agreed to by the Parliament and is in the 2025 act, whether the Government likes it or not. Other parts of the 2025 act have been implemented swiftly, such as the removal of the not proven verdict, so, when it suits the Government, it can introduce parts of the act swiftly and act on implementation. Has the cabinet secretary instructed COPFS to implement that change in the law? If so, when will it be implemented in full? Angela Constance: I know that Mr Greene will appreciate the size and scale of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025. He rightly narrates that the first action of implementation was the abolition of the not proven verdict. Further measures have either already been implemented or are in train.”
“The Scottish Government is engaging with justice bodies and stakeholders across the sector on implementation of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025, including section 34, following royal assent. That includes discussions with officials from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Implementation of the act is being phased to ensure that operational implications and readiness are duly considered across the system. We will continue discussions with COPFS and other justice bodies and stakeholders in that regard. Jamie Greene: For the benefit of the public, I note that section 34 gives all victims the right to be informed of any decision not to prosecute or to discontinue prosecution proceedings. It strengthens the rights of victims in Scotland.”
“Amendment 42B disagreed to. Amendment 42C moved—[Sue Webber]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 42C be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against 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) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) 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) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) 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) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) 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) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (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) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment 42B, in the name of Sue Webber, is: For 25, Against 85, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 42A disagreed to. Amendment 42B moved—[Sue Webber]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 42B be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against 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) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) 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) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) 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) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) 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) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (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) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment 42A, in the name of Sue Webber, is: For 26, Against 85, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 41 disagreed to. After section 1 Amendments 42 and 42A moved—[Sue Webber]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 42A be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) 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) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment 41, in the name of Sue Webber, is: For 42, Against 68, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 40 disagreed to. Amendment 41 moved—[Sue Webber]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 41 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I could not connect; I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Constance. Your vote will be recorded. For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) 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) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) 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) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment 40, in the name of Sue Webber, is: For 42, Against 69, Abstentions 0.”
“Angela Constance: As I said in my original answer, the deployment of police officers is, by law, entirely a matter for the chief constable. That is detailed in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. Police Scotland works to an establishment figure of around 16,500. On 15 January, following the recent recruitment intake, Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs confirmed that there were 16,500-plus officers in the service. It is important to note that, overall, police- recorded crime in Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Angus has reduced. However, I often make the point that we also have to look at the changing nature of crime. Although some crimes have reduced over the years, others have increased. That speaks to the importance of good local resourcing and response. Prostitution 8.”
“Michael Marra: The cabinet secretary should know that the issue does not involve only the leader of the Tayside police, because three of the four most senior roles for that division do not have permanent leadership. The vacuum could not have come at a worse time, with the Scottish National Party sending local officer numbers plummeting and crime rising over the past five years in Dundee and Perth and Kinross. In Dundee alone, drug supply is up by 36 per cent, shoplifting is up by 20 per cent, serious assault and attempted murder are up by 9 per cent and sexual crime is up by 24 per cent. Why does the cabinet secretary think that the appropriate response is to give Tayside the biggest cut in local officers out of any division in Police Scotland?”
“The divisional commander for Tayside is currently undertaking a leadership course. I am sure that the member would welcome Police Scotland ensuring that its senior officers are supported to take up such professional development to ensure continued effective leadership in the organisation. Although Police Scotland recruitment and deployment is entirely a matter for the chief constable and her executive team, I am aware that an acting chief superintendent has temporarily stepped into the role of divisional commander for Tayside. Policing in Tayside continues to be delivered effectively, with appropriate leadership oversight in place.”
“Police Scotland Tayside Division (Senior Leadership) 7.”
“Will the cabinet secretary outline what further improvements she expects the funding to deliver for communities across Scotland? Angela Constance: The majority of our investment in community justice will support local justice social work teams to expand the availability and quality of community-based interventions, including structured programmes, supervision and support for individuals with complex needs. The funding will help to ensure that courts have robust alternatives to custody available across Scotland and that services can maintain safe case-load levels while meeting rising demand. The member touches on the important role of third sector organisations. I mentioned in my previous answer the importance of the Upside service, and there are third sector bodies that are involved in the restorative justice work.”
“We are committed to strengthening community justice, reinforcing front-line capacity and ensuring that services are well supported. That £10 million will mean a total investment of £169 million in community justice services, and the increase builds on additional funding of £25 million over the past two years. The majority of that investment is for justice social work services, whose funding will increase to £148 million—that is an increase of 55.8 per cent over the past decade. Karen Adam: For many people with complex needs, including trauma, addiction, mental ill health and neurodivergence, effective community justice can be genuinely life changing, not just for them but for victims and the wider community. We know that community-based interventions, including restorative justice, can reduce reoffending and prevent harm from escalating.”
“The focus of its work is to engage quickly with individuals who are released from remand and provide needs-led support as they return to the community. I have also recently commenced section 13 of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023, which is about developing national throughcare standards that all organisations that are involved in the delivery of throughcare will be required to comply with. That will improve the consistency and quality of throughcare support across the country for those who are released from prison and from court. Budget 2026-27 (Community Justice Services) 6.”
“Clare Adamson: In my work with recovery groups, I still hear stories of people being released from prison with their belongings held back in the prison estate, which means that they do not have access to a mobile phone or a means of making an onward journey to their place of previous residence, and they are left feeling very vulnerable. What work has been done to establish the suitability of the current service? Is the cabinet secretary aware of the situations that still arise, especially at weekends, when access to housing can sometimes be difficult? Angela Constance: I mentioned Upside, which is the new national throughcare service that has expanded its remit to include the male remand population.”
“The primary co- located support is available through justice social work services, which provide on-site advice, guidance and onward referral to relevant community services. Everyone who leaves custody, including from remand, can access support with issues such as housing, health and social care, benefits and finances, where necessary. Many justice social work services are co-located with, or have a presence in, court buildings, to allow early engagement and to enable welfare or wellbeing risks to be identified. In addition, since July 2025, voluntary throughcare delivered by Upside has been available to all individuals who leave remand. As I said earlier, that is a national service that receives annual funding of £5.3 million.”
“However, when I next meet the chief constable I will raise the issues that Mr Halcro Johnston mentioned, with a view to offering him some reassurance.”
“Will the cabinet secretary commit to having minimum staffing levels for island areas and to publishing details of island-by-island vacancies and response times, so that communities can see whether they are being properly resourced? Angela Constance: Those specific details are matters for the chief constable and are scrutinised directly by the Scottish Police Authority rather than by ministers. On the remainder of Mr Halcro Johnston’s question, we all have to recognise that there are challenges associated with the geography of our remote and rural communities and, in particular, of our island communities. Police Scotland bears that in mind when conducting recruitment and has specifically targeted events to recruit officers for the Highlands and Islands.”
“Jamie Halcro Johnston: Island communities have often been seen as being protected from the worst rises in crime and antisocial behaviour experienced in mainland communities. However, among some islanders there is a feeling that the prevalence of low-level crime and antisocial behaviour is increasing. When there is a spate of incidents, island communities cannot just borrow officers from neighbouring commands because those commands are at least a ferry journey away. Police Scotland is around 1,000 officers down since the Covid pandemic. What is the Scottish Government doing specifically to protect island policing?”
“Although deployment of resources is a matter for the chief constable, Police Scotland remains committed to visible, community-based policing across our islands. Officer numbers in the Highlands and Islands remain stable and recruitment is strong: in the past year, Police Scotland welcomed its highest number of recruits since 2013. Policing remains a priority for the Scottish Government, as our budget for this year and next year clearly shows. As of 30 September 2025, Scotland had around 30 full-time equivalent officers per 10,000 of the population, compared with around 24 officers per 10,000 of the population in England and Wales. Our officers remain the best-paid ones in the United Kingdom.”
“The legislative context for what we can and cannot do for this measure is different from the early emergency release measures. That is because early emergency release is done at pace and the legislation allows for a governor’s veto. I stress that the Government works with community partners prior to the release of short-term prisoners, all of whom will return to our community at some point in the not-too-distant future. That remains vital.”
“Alexander Stewart: During last year’s emergency early release scheme, the governor’s veto was the key safety valve, and it was used to prevent 171 prisoners who had been assessed as posing an immediate risk of harm from being released into the community. Now the Government wants to hardwire a 30 per cent automatic release point and dictate where the veto will not apply. Will the cabinet secretary give a guarantee that no prisoner whose early release was previously vetoed on public safety grounds will be let out early as a result of the changes? If that guarantee cannot be given, why is the Government asking victims and the public to carry that risk? Angela Constance: The governor veto is exclusive to the use of early emergency release.”
“Most prisoners convicted of non-sexual crimes of violence are long-term prisoners who have been sentenced to four years or more, and who are therefore not eligible for early release under the proposed change. The change would apply to all short-term prisoners except for those serving sentences for domestic abuse or sexual offences, which reflects the historic barriers in reporting those offences. I recognise the concerns raised by victims and victim support organisations and I will continue to engage closely with them. The proposed exclusions seek to balance public safety, the concerns of victims and supporting a sustainable reduction in the prison population.”