The justice sector is facing serious and complex challenges and without increased funding of £400 million (13%) in next year’s budget, the sector faces unacceptable cuts to services, say the Criminal Justice Committee.
The Committee has been gathering evidence as part of their pre-budget scrutiny 26/27. While acknowledging the budget pressures on the Scottish Government, the Committee say the evidence it has received is gravely concerning and that the justice sector has now reached a critical limit in its ability to deliver services without additional investment.
The evidence gathered shows a sector under ever-increasing pressure with new and emerging threats such as cybersecurity and climate change adding to the stress on resources. The Committee is calling for dedicated funding to ensure justice bodies can tackle rising cyber threats and climate-driven challenges.
In particular, the Committee want to see investment in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who are on the front line of responding to climate change incidents.
Other budget pressures highlighted in the report include the additional costs in planning, and implementing new legislation enacted by the Parliament.
The Committee say there is an urgent need for the Scottish Government to move towards multi-year funding settlements for all justice sector bodies in Scotland to allow for longer term planning and more flexibility.
The Committee recommend that the Scottish Government works with the UK Government to see if a solution can be found which would allow both the Scottish Police Authority/Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service flexibility to manage their budgets through the use of a financial reserve, as they did before they became single nationwide services.
Furthermore, the Committee want the Scottish Government to look into the possibility of allowing the police and fire services to be given borrowing capacity, to give them more flexibility and an ability to better respond to urgent critical challenges.
Criminal Justice Committee Convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said:“The scenario facing the justice sector is gravely concerning and without additional funding of £400 million it will face unacceptable cuts to frontline services.
“Our Committee acknowledge that there are no easy answers when it comes to the budget pressures the Government is facing. However, despite the best efforts of the justice sector to make efficiency savings over the last 10-15 years, it is clear that a crucial limit has now been reached in terms of funding and resources.
“Put simply, a flat cash settlement next year is not sufficient, and would lead to cuts and reductions to services which our Committee cannot accept.”
The Convener added:“We want to see additional funding of £400 million and multi-year funding settlements to help the sector in the short and long term.
“We also encourage the Scottish Government to look into giving the police and fire services the ability to borrow money and create financial reserves in order to give them more flexibility to deal with ongoing and urgent financial pressures.
“The Committee thanks witnesses from across the sector who have spoken so candidly on the pressures they face and the urgent need for increased funding.”
Hundreds of thousands of people will benefit from an expansion of a trial to tackle poor housing and protect taxpayers’ cash from rogue landlords in England
Around 400,000 households receiving housing support to be better protected from rogue landlords thanks to an expanded crackdown scheme.
After a successful trial, 41 local authorities across England will now be empowered to better protect their local communities against non-compliance.
Comes as local authorities will be able to recover up to 24 months of rent from landlords who flout the rules – double the previous limit thanks to the Renters’ Right Act.
The scheme – successfully trialled in three council areas – protects public money by stopping it being wasted on unsafe housing through Rent Repayment Orders.
These legal orders clamp down on landlords who operate properties without the required licence, ignore improvement notices, or leave their houses in mouldy, dire conditions, and will now be expanded to a further 38 local authorities in England – helping to drive up living standards across the country. The scheme gives councils streamlined access to Universal Credit data which is crucial for completing Rent Repayment Order applications.
One of the trial areas – Camden, North London – is using the data sharing to recover nearly £100,000 in housing support and make a fraud referral, taking taxpayer cash out of the pockets of rogue landlords and back into the public purse.
Following successful results, the scheme – led by the Department for Work and Pensions and supported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – is now being expanded. This includes areas such as Enfield, where nearly 30,000 households receiving housing support are set to be better protected for the future.
This comes alongside expanded provisions under the Renters’ Rights Act allowing local authorities to seek Rent Repayment Orders for up to 24 months of rent – double the previous 12-month limit.
We are clamping down on rogue landlords who flout the rules
The Rent Repayment Orders scheme is being expanded, to benefit private renters in even more communities
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said: Thanks to this pilot, private renters in receipt of housing support will have stronger protections against landlords who fail to meet public standards.
!No one should live in unsafe or unsuitable housing. We are giving local authorities the tools they need to deter bad housing practice, and ensuring better value for money by upholding safe standards.”
Councillor Richard Olszewksi, Leader of Camden Council, said: “Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. With more than a third of households in Camden privately renting, it’s vital that we ensure landlords are meeting important safety and management standards for residents.
“This pilot helps us take further action against rogue landlords and regain the public money they wrongly pocketed. We’re investing this into more enforcement action and improving private sector housing conditions for everyone across the borough.”
Living in a decent, safe home is fundamental to health and work, and vulnerable renters who live in unsuitable accommodation are limited in their ability to take on work.
Enforcing better standards will drive up living standards through incentivising better practice in the future, as well as protecting taxpayer cash.
Justice for Tenants said: “This pilot has shown that we can deter criminality in the private rented sector and help fund housing enforcement services by making those who break the law shoulder more of the cost.
“This pilot is a massive win for all law-abiding landlords, tenants receiving public funds, the NHS, and every taxpayer in the country.”
Labour MSP for the Lothians, Sarah Boyack has expressed her disappointment that the committee has not endorsed her member’s bill.
The Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill aimed to embed legally defined definitions of sustainable development and wellbeing into law.
It would also have created a Future Generations Commissioner, modelled off the Welsh equivalent, that would have oversight powers to ensure that public bodies would have to consider the long-term implications of their actions.
The bill had been making its way through the Social Justice Committee at Holyrood as experts gave evidence regarding the bill.
The bill was first unveiled by Ms Boyack in 2023.
The SNP backed a wellbeing and sustainable development bill in their 2021 manifesto but came out against Ms Boyack’s bill earlier this year.
Commenting after the committee’s decision, Sarah Boyack said: “I am extremely disappointed that my member’s bill has not been supported by the majority of the committee’s members.
“The bill would have ensured that Scotland focuses on implementing sustainable development and wellbeing policies and deliver the leadership, accountability, advice and guidance we urgently need.
“I want to thank all those who supported my proposed bill as it has raised the need for joined up action and implementation onto the Parliament’s agenda.
“It’s clear from reading the committee’s report that there is action which the Scottish Government needs to deliver.
“I still believe that my bill would complement and reinforce that action.”
Vital chemical production at Grangemouth protected as Government provides over £120m support package in £150m joint investment
UK Government provides over £120m support package as part of £150m joint investment with INEOS to protect vital chemical production and 500 jobs at Grangemouth, plus hundreds more in the supply chain.
Unique plant strategically important for UK’s critical national infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, North Sea operations and modern Industrial Strategy.
Deal secures operational commitment from INEOS for the plant and multimillion-pound investment from the company.
Britain’s last ethylene plant at Grangemouth has been saved by the UK Government – securing 500 good jobs and hundreds more across the region in the supply chain.
Thanks to a landmark partnership between the UK Government and INEOS, the future of this vital site is now protected, sending a clear signal: this Government is backing workers and their communities across the whole of the UK.
With over £120 million in UK Government support and major investment from INEOS, the Grangemouth plant will stay open with jobs secured.
This huge win keeps the heart of Scotland’s industry beating strong, supports local families, and keeps critical supply chains running nationwide.
This package will help secure the site’s operations and contribute toward improving energy efficiencies, reducing carbon emissions and increasing productivity, helping to secure the site’s long-term competitiveness and sustainability. INEOS has spent over £100 million over the last year maintaining operations at the site.
The Grangemouth plant is vital for the whole UK economy. It produces ethylene which is essential for medical-grade plastics and use in the chemical supply chain. These plastics are also vital to key industries, including advanced manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace, where they are used in nearly every product.
The decisive action from the UK Government is part of its modern Industrial Strategy, which identifies chemicals as a vital foundational sector that underpins the UK’s high-growth industries like defence and advanced manufacturing by producing the materials they all depend on, while also being essential to many supply chains.
The UK Government is backing the chemicals sector through the Industrial Strategy with targeted support to bring down energy costs, including through the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme – which will slash costs for businesses in sectors including chemicals by up to 25% – and the British Industrial Supercharger, which will save Britain’s most energy-intensive firms money on their electricity costs.
The plant also links to the Forties Pipeline System, which is key for transporting North Sea oil and gas to onshore facilities. Without government intervention, the plant’s closure would have seriously affected hundreds of onsite workers, impacted thousands of jobs regionally, and devastated supply chains.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle formally announced the support yesterday (17 December) during a visit to the INEOS site in Grangemouth with the Chancellor and Scotland Secretary.
Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said: “When we said we’d protect jobs and invest in Britain’s future, we meant it – and this is proof.
“Through partnership, determination, and our Modern Industrial Strategy, we’re delivering new opportunities, fresh investment, and security for the next generation of workers in Scotland.
“This is about good jobs, stronger communities, and a modern economy that works for everyone.
“Our commitment is clear: to back British industry, to stand by hardworking families, and to ensure places like Grangemouth can thrive for years to come. Promise made, promise delivered.”
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: “The UK Government’s decision to step in will protect Grangemouth as a site of strategic national importance and secure 500 vital jobs in the area.
“By partnering with INEOS we are backing the plant and its long-term future, giving certainty to workers and the supply chain going forward.
“This approach is part of our Modern Industrial Strategy through which we are working to reduce the cost of energy for industry and support manufacturing in the UK.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “We said we would stand squarely behind communities like Grangemouth and we meant it.
“Building on the millions of pounds we’ve already invested in Grangemouth, this vital package protects our national resilience and secures the livelihoods of hundreds of people employed at the site way into the future.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “The UK Government is investing £120 million today to protect jobs and secure future opportunities at Grangemouth.
“Grangemouth has been at the heart of Scotland’s industrial story for generations, and today we’re ensuring it remains central to our future.
“This is a landmark moment for Grangemouth. This £120 million UK Government investment protects not just the 500 jobs at the plant, but thousands more across Scottish supply chains.”
The Scottish Secretary @D_G_Alexander visited Grangemouth as the UK Government confirmed a £120m investment in @INEOS ethylene operation, safeguarding over 500 jobs and protecting vital national infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/ijgWiryJr2
INEOS CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe said: “This £150m investment in the future of a major UK industrial site demonstrates INEOS and the UK Government’s commitment to British manufacturing. The support of the UK Government is welcome as we work to deliver competitive and efficient low-carbon manufacturing for the UK, long term.
“UK Government support for INEOS’ investment shows the strategic importance of making things in Britain. It protects 500 high-value jobs, secures supply chains and preserves the industrial capability the nation needs.”
Through the partnership, INEOS and the UK Government have demonstrated their commitment to operating the site and maintaining jobs. The agreement includes safeguards to protect taxpayers’ money, such as strict assurances that the funding can only be used to improve the site, and also gives the UK Government the right to share in future profits.
The chemicals sector across Europe has faced significant challenges in recent years, including high energy costs, with around 40 percent of remaining European ethylene capacity having recently closed or remaining at risk.
The partnership demonstrates the UK Government’s commitment to working with business to support Scotland and Scottish workers, and contributes towards government’s vision for Grangemouth’s long-term future.
This vision includes £200 million of investment from the National Wealth Fund to support new opportunities in Grangemouth, with projects actively being considered and around 140 enquiries already received.
Last week it was announced that around 310 jobs will be supported over the next five years by the Scottish company MiAlgae, that has started construction on its first commercial scale manufacturing facility that will transform whisky waste into fish-free Omega 3 following £3 million in UK and Scottish government backing.
To support workers at the nearby Exxon Mobil Mossmorran plant which is to close in February 2026, the UK and Scottish governments as well as Fife Council will set up a taskforce to ensure those impacted have the best chance of securing well-paid and valuable employment.
The Grangemouth Training Guarantee will also be expanded to those workers who provided shared services to the refinery, providing new opportunity across local communities.
The UK Government is also working to tackle the challenges of high industrial energy prices at source for Scottish and UK businesses through the modern Industrial Strategy, launched in June.
This includes increasing the discount on eligible businesses’ electricity costs from 60 to 90% through the British Industrial Supercharger scheme, and consulting on the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS), which will slash electricity costs by up to 25% for over 7,000 UK businesses.
Robert Begbie, CEO Commercial & Institutional, NatWest commented: “As the UK’s biggest bank for business, accelerating regional growth is a key priority for us at NatWest.
“We know that this vital funding will support Ineos Grangemouth in remaining a critical site for our national resilience and prosperity, whilst helping protect jobs in Scotland and beyond.”
As part of the Promise, the Scottish Government committed to tackling excessive profit in residential care. Under the proposals, certain residential care providers would need to provide financial information about the operation of their services to help the Scottish Government understand the fees charged for placements and the final costs paid by local authorities.
The Committee understood the Government’s motivations for doing this but says the changes are underdeveloped. The Government failed to consult on the issue ahead of the Bill’s introduction and the Bill does not outline how the Government would define an excessive profit.
The Committee also raised its concerns about what impact this could have on a fragile market and whether this could lead to services closing or diversifying. More broadly, many key stakeholders felt they had not been fully engaged in the development of this Bill and told the Committee that the Bill’s provisions were the poorer for this.
The general principles of the Bill have been supported by the Committee, including proposals to extend aftercare and to offer life-long advocacy to care experienced children, young people and adults. However, the Committee is also clear that more information about how these would work practically will be required before the Bill becomes law.
As currently drafted, the Bill does not allow this to happen, as sections 1 and 2, which relate to aftercare, and section 10, which relates to a register for foster carers, amend legislation that pre-dates the Scottish Parliament. The Committee therefore urges the Scottish Government to explore how it might remedy this, as the Bill progresses through Parliament.
The Committee also called for further consideration around proposed changes to the Children’s Hearing System, recommending the Government consider:
retaining three member panels when substantive decisions are being made
clarifying the roles of specialist members at Children’s Hearings, who may have particular expertise in child services or healthcare
revisiting plans for post-referral discussions, to ensure they are more closely aligned with the recommendations of the ‘Hearings for Children’ report.
Douglas Ross MSP, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee, said:“Every Member of the Committee agrees with the Promise made to Scotland’s care experienced children and young people, and as a result we unanimously support the general principles of this Bill.
“However, we are disappointed by the lack of clarity around some of the crucial provisions in this long-awaited Bill and what stakeholders told us about the lack of consultation they experienced ahead of the Bill’s introduction. This includes issues with proposals to tackle excess profits in residential care, which had not been properly consulted on and do not seem to be well thought through.
“We are now calling for substantial amendments to be made before the Bill becomes law. This is an opportunity to bring about real and lasting change for the care community and it is vital that the Government gets this right.”
The Bill also puts forward changes to children services planning, which aim to enhance collaborative working and join up planning across adult and children’s services. The Committee found that the rationale for these proposals was unconvincing and called for further explanation so that benefits, and any unintended consequences, of these changes are clearer.
YESTERDAY (Sunday 14th December), Scotland’s capital city hosted the 18th annual Scottish National Chanukah Celebration, organised by Chabad of Edinburgh. St Andrew Square was aglow as hundreds gathered for the joyous celebration, both from the Jewish community and wider Scottish society, but against the backdrop of the devastating antisemitic attack on a similar Chanukah celebration in Sydney, Australia.
Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and Minister for Higher and Further Education, shared his heartfelt greetings for the holiday and a message of solidarity with Scotland’s Jewish community, before ascending on a cherry picker to light the shamash (lead candle) of Scotland’s Tallest Menorah – an iconic candelabra symbolizing hope and resilience.
Rabbi Pinny Weinman of Chabad of Edinburgh and members of Edinburgh’s Jewish community shared their reflections on the themes of the holiday and their relevance to current events.
Following the lighting ceremony, attendees gathered in a large marquee set up next to the Menorah to enjoy traditional Chanukah delicacies, including latkes and sufganiyot (doughnuts), amidst an atmosphere of holiday cheer and resilience.
Rabbi Pinny Weinman of Chabad of Edinburgh, commented about the event: “Hanukkah is a celebration of light, faith, and perseverance — a time when we remember that even a small flame can dispel great darkness.
“In light of the tragic events in Sydney that have shaken the Jewish community and so many others around the world, this message feels especially powerful. Here in Scotland, the Scottish National Hanukkah Celebration brings together people from all walks of life to stand united, to reject hatred, and to reaffirm our shared values of dignity, compassion, and peace.
“Especially in challenging times, the Menorah’s light reminds us that goodness, kindness, and community spirit will always prevail. We are proud to celebrate this beautiful festival in the heart of Edinburgh, together with the entire community.”
Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and Minister for Higher and Further Education, said at the event: “We meet in difficult circumstances tonight after the horrific antisemitic attack in Sydney and our thoughts are with all of those affected directly and indirectly; and today, like so many people across our city, our country and the world, our thoughts will be with you, the Jewish community, at this time.
“As the candles of the Menorah are lit here tonight, we will mark the festival of light as an enduring symbol and commitment to hope, to resilience and the faith that Chanukah represents.
“The commitment and contribution of the Jewish community in Scotland lasts for centuries, and I know as a constituency MSP how much you contribute to the life of this city and how much this community has contributed to our story.
“Your government stands with you in celebrating your culture and your religion and particularly in solidarity with you tonight.
“As we prepare to light the Menorah, let us remember what those flames represent – they are more than candles, they are beacons of hope, particularly today and the eight days ahead.
“They remind us that even in the darkest times, light can and will endure. They call us to be courageous, to stand up for what is right and against antisemitism and discrimination, to nurture the bonds that unite us in common humanity.
“On behalf of the Scottish Government and as one of your local MSPs, I wish all of you here and the Jewish community across Scotland a joyful Chanukah. May this festival bring warmth and comfort to your homes and peace to your hearts in these difficult times and light to our shared future together.”
This year’s celebration was made possible thanks to the generous support of key partners, including the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland, Essential Edinburgh, and Unique Scotland.
First Minister John Swinney has raised his concerns about reports of intended large-scale cuts by the UK Government to its development assistance budget to Malawi.
In a letter to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper, the First Minister referred to his recent visit to Malawi and stressed the urgent need for ongoing aid.
The First Minister said he was deeply disappointed at the UK Government’s decision earlier this year to further cut its overseas aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of Gross National Income, and called for clarity on its intentions for Malawi as part of those aid cuts.
In his letter, he said: “My visit to Malawi allowed me to see first-hand the positive difference and impact that Scottish Government funded initiatives are having on the ground.
“It is very clear, however, and well documented globally, the very real challenges that Malawi continues to face, across its health services, education, infrastructure, and the increasing devastating impact of climate change on communities in Malawi, in particular those living in rural areas.
“The Scottish Government is proud of work to support Malawi. The UK Government too was once rightly proud of its efforts on international aid. Now we are seeing an alarming change in approach – cutting funding for those most in need at a time when that support is more necessary than ever.
“I ask you to reconsider the reported cuts and to take a position that allows our two governments to work in a spirit of collaboration to support the people of Malawi.
“In terms of how those cuts in UK aid are then implemented, we have been waiting for sight of the final allocations provided to each of our partner countries, which I understand are due to be made in the next months. I have been extremely concerned, therefore, to read reports in the media suggesting impending – drastic – cuts to Malawi.
“Regardless of the actions of the UK Government, the Scottish Government will continue to be a good global citizen and will continue to support and advocate for our partner countries like Malawi.”
During First Minister’s Questions this week at the Scottish Parliament, Foysol Choudhury MSP raised concerns about an NHS policy which he warned could be unfairly disadvantaging vulnerable patients.
Mr Choudhury highlighted the case of a constituent currently on an NHS waiting list who recently received a letter from NHS informing that, if they did not confirm within 21 days whether they wanted to remain on the list, they would automatically be taken off.
He stressed that, while the policy reflects current government guidance, its impact is far more troubling. Mr. Choudhury cautioned that vulnerable groups, including older people, and those with additional support needs, may easily miss such a tight deadline, leaving them unknowingly removed from the queue for essential care.
Calling for urgent action, Mr Choudhury asked the First Minister to instruct Ministers and officials to review the policy to ensure that no vulnerable patient is struck off a waiting list unfairly.
Friends at the End (FATE), a charity campaigning for the introduction of assisted dying legislation in Scotland, has hit out at a group of MSPs, including Kate Forbes, Michael Marra and Ed Mountain, on making misleading claims about the impact of proposed legislation on the disabled.
This includes the claim that individuals will be able to access on the grounds of disability alone.
Emma Cooper, Convenor of the Board of Trustees, FATE, said: “After five years of intense scrutiny and careful consideration by the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee, it is unacceptable to see senior politicians adding to confusion about what Scotland’s Assisted Dying Bill actually says.
“The Deputy First Minister’s recent comments, presented as concerns about safeguards, risk breaching the Scottish Government’s own position of neutrality. They also repeat claims unsupported by the proposed bill or international evidence.
“We must be clear: assisted dying cannot be accessed based on disability alone.
“A specific ‘for the avoidance of doubt’ clause was added at Stage 2 to make this explicit. Yet organisations such as Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) continue to promote the opposite, and Kate Forbes is now echoing their narrative. This is misleading the public and influencing Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) with inaccurate assertions.
“Thirty years of international experience show no negative impact on disabled communities, and no jurisdiction has repealed its laws. Academic research, including the work of Professor Ben Colburn of the University of Glasgow, confirms that assisted dying legislation does not create systemic risk for disabled people.
“This debate is too important for false narratives or politically amplified misinformation. Scotland deserves a discussion grounded in facts, not fear.”
Friends at the End (FATE) is a Scottish charity that supports people at the end of life and campaigns for compassionate, safe, and evidence-based assisted dying legislation.
The organisation provides information, advocacy and practical support, and works to ensure that terminally ill, mentally capable adults have the right to make informed choices about their own dying process.
FATE promotes dignity, autonomy and transparency in end-of-life care, drawing on international evidence and lived experience to inform public debate.
