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.”
The complete record
Every one of 747 lines we hold for Angela Constance, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 15.
“I am grateful to Martin Whitfield for giving way. I advise him and others that, when I look at the Official Report of those remarks, I cannot see that I stated at any point that Professor Jay was speaking directly about Liam Kerr’s amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill. I have never ducked anything in my life, and I am more than happy to answer questions at some point about why I was not in the chamber that day. It is because I was travelling on Government business to the European Union in Brussels in order to engage on matters of serious organised crime, including online harms and child sexual exploitation.”
“Decisions about risk are taken by risk management teams. They ensure that decisions are evidence based and focused on public protection and safety. Those teams are multidisciplinary and they bring together expertise so that there can be reliability in decisions that are very much focused on keeping everyone safe.”
“Does the removal of a female prisoner’s right to safety, privacy and dignity constitute an acceptable risk? Unless the Government is happy to tolerate harm to women, it must inform the Scottish Prison Service to remove the notion of acceptable risk of harm from its policy. Even better, it should surely be told to obey the law as confirmed by the Supreme Court. Angela Constance: I will not repeat the answers that I have given to other members, but I again clearly state that there is an obligation that all known risks must be considered and assessed. The point about unknown risks was reflected in the change to admissions procedures as part of the policy, because it was recognised that, when prisoners are being admitted to prison, the organisation can be time and information poor. There are additional layers of assurance to manage risk.”
“The SPS manages some of the most complex and vulnerable people in our society, and I both recognise and appreciate the unique skills and wealth of operational experience that it utilises daily to keep our prisons safe. Michelle Thomson: I put on the record that the policy is about placing biological men in women’s prisons. Risk has two components: first, the chance of harm, and secondly, the nature of that harm. Most violence against women goes unreported. A male prisoner may have been convicted for certain offences, but any other history is not known. Does that constitute an acceptable risk? Many women in prisons suffer from trauma caused by male violence. Does fear and anxiety, halted recovery or retraumatisation constitute an acceptable risk?”
“When placing a transgender person in the estate, the SPS adopts an individualised approach to assess and manage all known risks that supports the health and wellbeing of everyone living and working in our prisons. The operational guidance states that a transgender woman will be considered for admission into the women’s estate only when “she does not meet the violence against women and girls criteria” and “there is no other basis to suppose that she poses an unacceptable risk of harm to those housed in the women’s estate.” That does not mean that there is any acceptable risk, but all risks are assessed and there is consideration of how they can best be managed in a prison setting.”
“Angela Constance: It is the long-held position of the Scottish Government, which mirrors that of United Kingdom Governments past and present, that it would be inappropriate to comment on live court proceedings. On Mr Ross’s more general point about compliance with the law, the Scottish Prison Service, as a public body, is required to comply with the Equality Act 2010 and other legislation, as are ministers. The SPS is clear, as are Scottish ministers, that we need to uphold the rights of all individuals while they are in custody.”
“Let us be very clear that that is not part of a long-standing convention. The First Minister said outside the chamber that, legally, he was not able to speak about the issue, and that was also the position of the cabinet secretary. We had to find out the actual reason why they could not speak from their special advisers and press spokespeople, who said that ministers are choosing not to speak, rather than being legally barred. Will the cabinet secretary find a backbone and tell us exactly why the Government is taking the matter to court? Will she be honest with the public, who want answers, about why taxpayers’ money is being used to defend the Scottish Government’s position, rather than it respecting the Supreme Court judgment?”
“It is the Scottish Government’s long-held position that it would be inappropriate for the Scottish ministers to comment on live court proceedings. In all cases, we have an obligation to uphold the independence of the judiciary. We do not ever want the Government to be seen as interfering in the work of our independent courts. The appropriate forum for discussions on live litigation is the court, and that ensures that the proper respect is afforded to the judiciary and also to the litigants. Douglas Ross: The cabinet secretary spoke about respect, but where is the respect if she and her Government are going to court to demand that biological men should still be housed in women’s prisons when the Supreme Court ruling was crystal clear? They should respect the Supreme Court ruling.”
“Of course, it is a discretionary power that rests with the Lord Advocate and was viewed at the time as a historic change that provided the legislative basis for the Crown to investigate and enabled the Lord Advocate to instruct an FAI when the circumstances, in her view, had not been sufficiently established and there was a real prospect that an inquiry would do so. The issue is close to my heart and my constituency, and I assure Mr Doris that, as with all legislation and non-legislative measures, we keep the law under regular review to ensure that it continues to meet its intended purposes and operates fairly and effectively in the public interest.”
“Given that fact, will the cabinet secretary outline whether the Government will consider reviewing the impact of the 2016 act on overseas deaths and whether any legislative or non- legislative improvements could be desirable in the future? Angela Constance: I acknowledge the tireless campaign—led by Mr Doris’s constituent, Julie Love—which was instrumental in securing the change in the law, so that fatal accident inquiries could be held following the death overseas of a person ordinarily resident in Scotland.”
“Bob Doris: I acknowledge that the Lord Advocate has indicated that the 2016 act has allowed various investigative matters to be undertaken following overseas deaths, as the cabinet secretary has indicated. That has perhaps included post-mortems, statements from witnesses based in Scotland, and the requesting of information from abroad about inquiries that have taken place into the findings of investigations there. That is welcome. However, to date, not a single FAI using the Lord Advocate’s discretionary powers has taken place. When I campaigned with my constituent, Julie Love, that was not the situation that we intended.”
“The Scottish Government considers that the legislation is operating as intended. It provides the flexibility for an investigation and an FAI into the death of a person who is ordinarily resident in Scotland when the death occurs outwith the United Kingdom. Its purpose is to allow an FAI when the Lord Advocate considers it appropriate and in the public interest. Fatal accident inquiries into deaths overseas were always expected to be rare and none have been held since 2017. Significantly, however, the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc (Scotland) Act 2016 has enabled the Crown Office to conduct inquiries that were not previously possible, including post-mortems and the gathering of evidence, which gives families meaningful answers and reassurance.”
“Angela Constance: I very much recognise the member’s on-going diligent advocacy for the addressing of concerns about the provision of a new police station to serve Greenock and surrounding communities. It is important that Police Scotland delivers the correct solution for Greenock, which includes appropriate custody provision for the Inverclyde area, as well as delivering on its overall estates master plan to ensure that appropriate solutions are delivered for communities across Scotland. Although I respect those operational responsibilities and boundaries, I will raise the member’s concern about Greenock police station with the chief constable at our next meeting, as we regularly discuss the estates master plan, which has identified Glasgow and the west of Scotland as a priority.”
“Stuart McMillan: Earlier this year, I was informed that the finance was available for a new station, but that the clear stumbling block related to the custody suite capacity, which has been and remains crucial to maintaining a fully functioning police station locally. Will the cabinet secretary press the chief constable to make a decision on the location of a new police station for Greenock urgently, as serving officers are working in a facility that is not fit for purpose? Will she also impress on the chief constable—notwithstanding the figures that she has just provided—the need to have more police officers operating in Inverclyde as a result of the demands that have been placed on a stretched workforce?”
“The future of Greenock station and custody provision for the area remains under consideration by Police Scotland as part of its wider estates master plan, which we have supported by increasing the capital budget to £70 million. Police Scotland recognises the need for a local policing service for Greenock, while also recognising that the current police station is not fit for modern policing. Decisions on the deployment of police officers are a matter for the chief constable. As of 30 September 2025, K division, which covers Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, had 618 officers. That is 18 more than in the previous quarter and 17 more than at the same point last year.”
“On policing, as I said in my original answer, such matters are operational ones for the chief constable, who can move resources as she sees fit according to threat, harm and vulnerability. I am pleased that, due to the Government’s investment, police numbers have stabilised. I am of course happy to meet Mr Briggs and other colleagues, as long as they are very aware of the clear divide between ministerial responsibilities and operational matters.”
“That has been the case for years now, at a time when the population has been growing three times faster than the Scottish average. It is also resulting in many of our police stations having to close their public counters more and more regularly and in Edinburgh’s city division having fewer officers available now than it had in 2017. It is clear that pressures in Edinburgh are impacting on our police services and their ability to police the capital, so will the cabinet secretary agree to meet Lothian MSPs to consider the developing challenges that our police service faces, especially given the capital status of Edinburgh? Angela Constance: As a West Lothian MSP, I am very aware of the growing population across the Lothians. That, of course, has a bearing on a range of public services.”
“The deployment of officers is a matter for the chief constable based on operational priorities. In the previous financial year, the Scottish Government’s record investment in policing enabled Police Scotland to take on more recruits than at any time since 2013. As of 30 September, 1,106 officers were deployed to Edinburgh and 888 to Lothian and Borders. In both divisions, that is more than in the previous quarter and broadly similar to the figures at the same time last year. A range of regional and national resources is also available to assist local officers following the creation of the single service. Miles Briggs: The cabinet secretary will be aware that, as I have raised on several occasions, Edinburgh has one of the lowest police to population ratios in Scotland.”
“I assure the member that the SPS has given me its commitment that it is moving at pace, and I will continue to engage with Mr Brown and the SPS on the matter. I am grateful to his constituents for their engagement and patience. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can squeeze in question 8, but I need a succinct question from the member and a succinct response. Domestic Abuse Victims (Support) 8.”
“The SPS will continue to keep residents updated via its website, especially during any period of planned work. Keith Brown: I very much hope that the developments that the cabinet secretary has outlined will prove to be effective, but she will know that residents have been raising serious concerns about noise and disruption from the prison for far too long, with very limited progress to date. Given the on-going impact that that continues to have on the wellbeing and quality of life of those living nearby, and the length of time that it is taking to find effective solutions, does the cabinet secretary agree that the Scottish Prison Service needs to continue to treat the issue as a matter of urgency and deliver a lasting resolution? Angela Constance: Yes, I very much do. The situation has gone on for far too long for all concerned.”
“While continuing to support many vulnerable women, the Scottish Prison Service has taken a number of actions to reduce the noise at HMP and Young Offenders Institution Stirling that is experienced by its neighbours. Most recently, the SPS held a meeting with local residents on 23 September at which it presented a concept for a window surround to reduce the noise from the rooms closest to local housing. The prototype window surround was installed on 16 October and entered a period of testing until 24 October. Initial feedback on the trial was very positive and planning is now under way to install surrounds to the remaining windows. Engagement between the SPS and Stirling Council has started and, pending final planning approval, it is anticipated that all work will be completed by 31 March 2026.”
“Crucially, in the justice portfolio, Police Scotland is actively reviewing current and historical investigations, and we have been clear that Police Scotland is closely involved with the national strategic group. There is also the Scottish child abuse inquiry. I very much know the reasons why that inquiry was set up, but it is important to stress that the extensive review that is being undertaken by the Scottish child abuse inquiry includes child protection policy and practice. HMP Cornton Vale (Noise) 7.”
“Meghan Gallacher: Scottish victims of grooming gangs are demanding an inquiry. The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs said that the Scottish Government would have an inquiry if that was assessed as necessary. Given the sentencing in Dundee last week and the harrowing stories emerging from Glasgow this week, what standards or criteria would have to be met before an inquiry is assessed as necessary? Angela Constance: It is for Ms Gallacher and others to present a case that is based on the added value that an inquiry would bring to preventing abuse of our children right now. If that evidence emerges, we will, of course, listen to it fairly and without favour. As Ms Gallacher knows, there is on-going work, led by the national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group.”
“The Scottish Government will continue to consider the need for an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland should further evidence emerge. The case in Dundee, although horrendous, is of a different nature from the cases reported in Baroness Casey’s national audit. The national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group has agreed a prevention-focused approach to collectively improve how harm is identified, reported and responded to in Scotland by statutory agencies and other partners. We also support third sector organisations that are involved in preventing child sexual abuse, including Barnardo’s Scotland, the NSPCC’s Childline service and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland, which deliver preventative and risk-reduction interventions to children in Scotland.”
“Angela Constance: I very much welcome the Prison Officers Association report, which demonstrates the pressures and challenges that prison staff face at a time of a high prison population, and I appreciate their hard work. It is crucial that we listen to the voice of prison officers. I know that prison officers want to do the job that they are trained to do, and it is on all of us to create the right conditions for that to happen. I assure the member that I have already discussed that important report with the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, and she has outlined to me a number of actions that the SPS is already engaged in. If he wishes to correspond with me, I would be happy to provide him with further detail. Grooming Gangs 6.”
“Davy Russell: The Prison Officers Association Scotland’s recent “Crisis Point Reached” report highlighted a number of concerns that SPS officers have, including failures in the recruitment system, a lack of long-term planning, which sometimes makes working conditions difficult and dangerous, and a toxic working environment stemming from poor management. I have a constituent who has been suspended for six months on full pay and whose shifts have been covered using overtime. For what seems to be a relatively minor issue, that is a gross waste of taxpayers’ money. Does the cabinet secretary agree with the findings of the report? What immediate action is she taking to address the systemic issues that it outlines?”
“Our prisons operate in a unique and complex environment. The Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service remain resolute in our joint commitment to ensuring that they remain a safe place in which to live and work. The SPS continues to recruit at pace and invest in technology, such as body-worn video cameras, to place the service in the best possible position in which to face current challenges. The demands that are placed on our prison officers and the rising prison population have been well documented. I thank prison officers for their hard work each and every day. In recognition of their difficult and unique roles in our justice system, the Scottish Government delivered an 8 per cent pay rise for prison officers, with a two- year pay deal secured earlier this year.”
“However, in relation to police numbers over the entire country, the full-time equivalent as of 30 September was 16,441; as of 3 November, it was 16,531— Finlay Carson: The question was on rural officers. Angela Constance: I am getting to that, if Finlay Carson will do me the courtesy of allowing me to speak— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr Carson, the cabinet secretary is on her feet responding to your question. Please let us hear what she has to say. Angela Constance: As of 3 November, there were 16,531 officers. It is for the chief constable to deploy those police officers across the regions. As of 30 September, 354 officers were deployed in V division, which is the division that covers Dumfries and Galloway. That figure is stable in comparison to the previous quarter.”
“Police Scotland has been defunded to the point where officer numbers in Dumfries and Galloway have fallen by 22 per cent since 2020. Now, the Government is starting to impose new occupancy charges on officers living in police- owned accommodation—a policy that was first consulted on more than a year ago—and the Scottish Police Federation warns that even more rural officers will leave. Does the cabinet secretary accept that that penalty is worsening our already dire situation? Will she urgently review the policy before rural policing is hollowed out even further? Angela Constance: The issue that Finlay Carson has raised is an operational matter for Police Scotland.”
“Responsibility for the police workforce rests with the chief constable, who has a range of local and national resources to draw on in preventing and tackling crime. The Scottish Government provided record funding of £1.64 billion in 2025-26, which is an increase of £90 million, to support capacity and capability to enable Police Scotland to take on more recruits last financial year than at any time since 2013, with further intakes planned throughout 2025-26. Although we do not want anyone to be a victim of crime no matter where they live, I note that Scotland is a safer place since the Government took office, with recorded crime down 39 per cent since 2006-07. Finlay Carson: Why let the facts get in the way of a well-spun story? The real facts tell a different story.”
“It is important—indeed, imperative—that we support the extension of clause 53(6) to Scotland, in order to prevent criminals attempting to get around the conditions of an interim serious crime prevention order simply by moving jurisdiction. In moving the motion, I recommend that the Parliament consent to clause 53(6). I move, That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 30 January 2025, and subsequently amended, relating to clause 53(6) on the breach of interim Serious Crime Prevention Orders (iSCPO), so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, should be considered by the UK Parliament. 16:10”
“Although I accept that that is far from optimal, I am grateful to the convener of the Criminal Justice Committee for suspending the committee’s responsibilities under standing orders to allow the debate to proceed in order to provide Parliament with the opportunity to consider the legislative consent motion before the bill reaches its final form. Clause 53(6) amends section 25(1) of the Serious Crime Act 2007 by inserting the words “or an interim serious crime prevention order” after “order”. That will put the breach of an interim serious crime prevention order on the same footing as the breach of a full serious crime prevention order, ensuring that there is consistency of approach across the United Kingdom when dealing with those who might seek to circumvent the restrictions that are imposed on them.”
“I am pleased to open this brief debate on the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, the purpose of which is to rectify an oversight. I regret that the Scottish Parliament has not had more time to consider the supplementary legislative consent memorandum. The original LCM, which covers the vast majority of the relevant provision in the bill, was debated and passed by the Parliament on 26 June. However, it has since become apparent that clause 53(6) of the bill should have been included in the original LCM and motion. Since the omission became apparent, officials have worked to develop a supplementary LCM covering the oversight, which was lodged on 4 November.”
“Angela Constance: Of course I remain firmly of the view that every woman has the right not only to feel safe, but to be safe. I advise members that, as of last night, the lock- up figure for our prison population was 8,441 prisoners, which hardly speaks to the soft-touch justice that the member mentioned. With regard to the early emergency release scheme, as members well know, there are very stringent safeguards to ensure that those who have committed domestic violence or sexual offences are excluded from it.”
“While the Scottish National Party is preparing to let more criminals out early, because its soft-touch approach to justice means that our prison estate is buckling under the weight of a surging population, its prison guidelines leave vulnerable women and girls at serious risk. If those guidelines remain, I am extremely concerned about the spine-chilling risk of a repeat of the Isla Bryson case in which, under the Scottish National Party’s watch, a dangerous male criminal was put in a women’s prison. My understanding is that the cabinet secretary can answer my question. Does she still agree with what she said on 28 November 2017, which was: “Women should feel safe in every space they wish to inhabit—this is a matter of fundamental human rights.” Does she stand by what she said—yes or no?”
“Angela Constance: As well as referring to my earlier remarks, I advise the member—and I am sure that she has heard this before—that every key area of Government that is, or might be, affected by the Supreme Court judgment is carrying out assessments across legislation, guidance and policies. One example thus far would be the action that the Government has taken on guidance around gender representation on public boards. Under my responsibilities as justice secretary, the safety and wellbeing of all prisoners and staff are at the core of everything that I and the Scottish Prison Service do. Tess White: Scotland’s prison system is a shambles and it needs leadership from the cabinet secretary.”
“Presiding Officer, with the greatest of respect to you and all members in the chamber, as the question relates directly to live court proceedings, it is not appropriate for me or any member of the Scottish Government to comment. Tess White: In April, the United Kingdom’s highest court ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. Yet, as the months have passed, the Scottish Government has ignored that judgment and failed to direct its public bodies to adhere to it. Instead, it has dithered and delayed, and now sees fit to defend its policy that allows biologically male prisoners to be housed in women’s prisons. Does the cabinet secretary support single-sex spaces—yes or no?”
“That the Parliament agrees— (a) for the purpose of the pre-election campaign period from 26 March to 8 April 2026 (inclusive), that the office of the clerk be closed from 26 March to 8 April 2026 (inclusive); (b) in respect of meetings of committees and sub- committees during the pre-election campaign period, that, in rule 12.3.3, the word “normally” in the second sentence be suspended; and (c) for the purpose of the lodging of written questions immediately prior to the pre-election campaign period, that rule 13.3.4A be suspended and replaced with— “The last day on which written questions may be lodged in the current session is Thursday 12 March 2026.” That the Parliament agrees, for the purposes of the pre- election campaign period from 26 March to 8 April 2026 (inclusive), the following parliamentary recess dates under Rule 2.3.1: 26 March to 8 April 2026 (inclusive).—[Graeme Dey] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motions will be put at decision time.”
“Motions moved, That the Parliament agrees that the Carer’s Assistance (Miscellaneous and Consequential Amendments, Revocation, Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that the Office of the Clerk be closed on Wednesday 24 (am), Monday 29, Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 December 2025.”
“The Presiding Officer: Please conclude, cabinet secretary. Angela Constance: Emergency release will start to reduce the prison population within days, if approved, and the schedule of releases over the next six months will help to maintain its effect for that time. We can critique the past and debate the future, but tonight we must make a decision to act and not put our hands over our ears or turn our face to the wall. The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. The next item of business is consideration of four Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motions S6M-19536, on approval of a Scottish statutory instrument, S6M-19537, on the office of the clerk, S6M-19538, on campaign recess dates and S6M-19539, on recess dates.”
“Angela Constance: I have only three minutes, sir. A prison governor’s veto can be applied if a release poses an immediate risk of harm to an identifiable individual or group. I remind members that, last year, the figure for return to custody after earlier emergency release was 13 per cent and, following the STP40 programme, it was 5 per cent. I want to be clear that emergency release is not the answer to addressing the prison population in the long term, but it is essential right now to providing critical relief to those who live and work in our prisons. It is my view that the legal test for emergency release has been met and that these measures are necessary and proportionate to maintain the security and good order of our prisons, as well as the safety and welfare of prisoners and staff.”
“The challenge for us as a Parliament and, indeed, as a country is that, if we do not want to remain in a cycle of shorter-term decisions, we will need to take bolder and longer-lasting action. This is absolutely not a decision that I have taken lightly, but it is a decision that is now necessary. I absolutely recognise that the early release of prisoners will be cause for concern for victims. That is why the regulations have stringent safeguards in place, including statutory exclusions for sex offenders and those serving sentences for domestic abuse. We have also added extra exclusions for prisoners with unspent previous domestic abuse convictions or non-harassment orders. Of course, a prison governor’s veto can be applied if a release poses— Liam Kerr: Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?”
“I continue my commitment to that, to the expansion of community justice and to doing more than that, including with the use of electronic monitoring and widening the scope. That is in addition to increasing capacity in the prison estate, as well as completing two new prisons. It remains to be seen who, at the end of the day, will be prepared to engage with and debate the evidence about what works to reduce offending and increase the rehabilitation of offenders to keep our communities safe. I noted Mr Kerr’s comments about the need to reduce the remand population and manage prisoners differently and, of course, the use of electronic monitoring. However, right now, we have to reach a position of stability to enable more permanent change and reform.”
“The emergency action for which I seek Parliament’s approval is critical to ensuring the safe and secure operation of our prisons and the health and safety of those who work in them. In short, I seek to ensure that our prisons can continue to accommodate those who pose the greatest risks. I know that many members of the Parliament and many of those who work in the justice system and, indeed, victim support organisations have narrated the need for longer- term solutions to secure a stable and sustainable prison population, and I agree with them. In fact, I have been advocating for that and, in my view, I have laid the foundations for that with, among other things, the establishment of the independent sentencing and penal commission, which will report to me at the end of this year.”
“I start by acknowledging the gravity of the decision that I ask Parliament to make this evening, and I remind colleagues that every decision taken by me and the Government has been made under full parliamentary scrutiny and that parliamentary approval has been sought when it has been required. I also wish to inform Parliament that the prison population today is 8,431, which is a new record high and a milestone that few of us would have wanted to reach. The Scottish Prison Service’s assessed capacity tolerance has been breached on a number of occasions. Ten of our prisons are at red risk status, and there is a risk of non- compliance with our statutory and legal obligations. Therefore, doing nothing is not an option.”
“The member might also be interested to know that the next phase of our work with Police Scotland is to focus on tackling the online aspects of commercial sexual exploitation.”
“The member is correct to make the link between human trafficking and prostitution. The member will be familiar with operation begonia. It has taken a victim-centred, trauma- informed approach that recognises women who are involved in prostitution as victims of exploitation and understands the importance of signposting them to appropriate support organisations, while also challenging and deterring men’s demand. It is important that the Government gives any member’s bill full and careful consideration. I am conscious that the member’s bill is at committee stage, and I will look with interest at the deliberations of committee members on it. Our focus on the bill will be informed not just by the committee but by the implementation of operation begonia.”
“If Scotland is to protect our most vulnerable women and children, we cannot just accept that people are vulnerable to poverty, coercion, addiction and grooming. We must target the demand that drives the profits from their exploitation. People are not products to be traded. Victims are trapped in cycles of exploitation through organised crime, online exploitation and prostitution. We need to tackle the root cause through a clear legal deterrent that makes the purchase of sex a crime. Will the Government commit to criminalising sex buying through my unbuyable bill, in order to reduce that demand and dismantle the market for those heinous exploitation networks across Scotland? Angela Constance: It is important that we tackle the demand for the sexual exploitation of women and vulnerable adults.”
“She is correct to say that there is absolutely never any room for complacency. One advantage of having a single police force is that it has one vulnerability database, which is able to feed into local and national child protection procedures and to make links with the national intelligence database. Police Scotland also works with the United Kingdom-wide National Crime Agency. The member has made some specific points around data. I will raise them with Police Scotland, as well as with the Scottish Police Authority, which I will meet tomorrow morning. Ash Regan: I thank the cabinet secretary for that commitment. Tackling exploitation means tackling the demand that fuels it. Every grooming network and every trafficking chain exist because there is a market, and that market is sustained by the unchallenged demand to buy sex.”
“Police Scotland’s freedom of information response and the Government’s response to my recent written question expose fundamental gaps in our data systems. Police Scotland confirms that it has markers for exploitation but none for group or gang-based abuse. The interim vulnerable persons database has an at-risk marker for child sexual exploitation, but it cannot flag when that abuse is organised or networked. If we cannot even identify grooming gang patterns, how can we dismantle them? Will the Government now commit to an independent data collection audit as part of the work of a national task force, in order to close those dangerous data gaps? Angela Constance: Right now, Police Scotland is reviewing previous investigations, as well as current cases, of the nature that the member is rightly concerned about.”