Tag: Scottish Government

Scotland’s approach to prisons ‘needs fundamental reform’

Commission publishes recommendations for a fairer and more effective justice system

Scotland must rethink its approach to sentencing and imprisonment according to the independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission.

The Commission’s report highlights that Scotland consistently has one of the highest prison population rates in Western Europe and without significant reform, the current justice system is neither sustainable nor effective. 

Following its year-long review, the independent Commission has made a broad range of recommendations including:

  • Acting early to resolve lower-level issues without going to court and increasing the use of alternatives so people can access support before offending escalates. This also shortens delays and improves how victims experience the justice system
  • Prohibiting ineffective short custodial sentences under 12 months and instead promoting more effective community-based approaches to prevent reoffending and support rehabilitation
  • Increasing the use of higher quality community sentences with greater flexibility, use of technology, unpaid work opportunities and more discretion for social workers
  • Improving rehabilitation in prison and releasing long term prisoners at two thirds of their sentence with increased supervision and support in the community to help them build new, crime-free lives
  • Long-term planning to realise the ambition of reducing the prison population to a level in keeping with the European average which would be around 5,775 prisoners in Scotland

Commission Chair Martyn Evans said: “This is a critical moment for Scotland, with a record high prison population and a Justice system under pressure. It is time for that to change. Our Commission report sets out ambitious recommendations to deliver system-wide reform.

“Prison should be for serious and dangerous offenders, not for people who need help, support or simply a second chance. We need to choose a different path – one that uses imprisonment more wisely, reduces reoffending and strengthens community responses.

“Our report addresses the full journey through the justice system, from prevention and early intervention through to sentencing, rehabilitation and reintegration into communities. At every stage, our focus has been on what works to rehabilitate and reduce harm, improve lives and strengthen public safety. 

“We have listened carefully to the victims and survivors of crime who want to feel safe in their homes and their communities. Reducing reoffending and preventing crime is the surest way to achieve that goal. Our report also considers the need for victims to have clear information, trauma-informed support and protective measures like non-harassment orders, where appropriate.

“Our report sets out key areas where the next Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament will need to focus on delivering change and investing in solutions. Courage is needed for fundamental reform, not simply to continue coping with a crisis.

“By transforming our justice system, we can create a fairer and more effective society for all of us.”

Justice that works: Report of the Scottish Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission. 

Scottish Government confirms extension of support from Investing in Communities Fund following letter from Ian Murray MP

Following reports that the Scottish Government’s proposed spending plans will cut funding to community organisations doing vital work across Edinburgh, Ian Murray, the MP for Edinburgh South, wrote to the Shona Robinson, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, at the end of January to urge her to reverse the decision.

A reply from Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, confirmed that the Scottish Government have now agreed to transitional funding of up to a year for affected groups (as reported by NEN last week– Ed.).

Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, said: “While this transitional funding is welcome, it’s not enough – all it really does is delay the financial cliff edge facing local organisations who are supporting some of our most vulnerable communities.

“The financial pressures Kate Forbes mentions in her reply are completely of the SNP’s own making – a result of their mismanagement of the public finances over the last 19 years.

“The UK Labour government has provided the Scottish Government with an additional £10.3 billion in resources since coming to power. Where has the money gone?

“I am in touch with those affected by this locally and will continue to do all I can to support them.”

ian-murray-0Download
ian-murray-1Download

Accelerating Home Building

Consultation launched on unlocking development

Views are being sought on measures to speed up the delivery of new homes as part of the Scottish Government’s response to the housing emergency. 

The measures would help accelerate building on sites allocated for development or which have planning permission. They include fiscal incentives to discourage delays and initiatives to fine tune the system to work better for SME housebuilders.

The 2026-27 draft Scottish Budget includes record funding of £926 million for the affordable housing supply programme and a national housing agency, More Homes Scotland, is being set up to help meet the housing need.

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said:  “Since 2007, the Scottish Government has supported the delivery of 141,000 affordable homes, including 101,000 for social rent.

“But we know that Scotland urgently needs more homes and planning permission is already in place for a significant amount of housing land. We need to encourage construction to start or re-commence on those sites.

“This consultation seeks views on how incentives, clearer expectations and – where appropriate – stronger interventions could help local authorities, developers, landowners and communities undertake and complete more housing developments, more quickly. It builds on existing work to tackle stalled housing sites, support public sector led development, and strengthen planning capacity across Scotland.”  

The Accelerating Home Building in Scotland consultation is open for responses until 30 April.

Improved support for kinship carers

Amendments to Children (Care, Care Experience, and Services Planning) Bill

Plans have been unveiled to strengthen the legal rights for eligible kinship carers and make it simpler and clearer to access support for them and children they care for.

Promise Minister Natalie Don-Innes introduced proposed Scottish Government amendments to the Children (Care, Care Experience, and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill as stage two consideration of the legislation got underway.

The proposals would introduce a legal right for eligible kinship carers to be offered, and to request, a comprehensive needs-based assessment from their local authority, so families know what help they can ask for, how it will be considered, and can expect greater consistency across Scotland.

The move, if passed by MSPs, would make it easier for families to access financial, practical and advocacy support, by ensuring needs are considered in the round and linked to existing support routes.

The Bill already includes measures to enhance care and support for children in the care system, or who have left it. It forms a key part of the Scottish Government’s work to implement the recommendations of the Independent Care Review, known as The Promise.

Ms Don-Innes said: “Kinship carers provide vital stability for children within their family network, and comprehensive needs assessments will enhance families’ access to financial, practical and advocacy support, while improving local partners’ ability to tailor supports to meet their needs. 

“These amendments are about ensuring that children growing up in kinship care are properly supported in line with The Promise. They aim to improve consistency and transparency while retaining local flexibility, so families have clearer routes to support regardless of where they live.

“Progress continues to be made across Scotland on keeping The Promise and this Bill is an important aspect of our work to ensure all children and young people receive the compassionate and considerate care they need throughout their care journey. I look forward to engaging further with Members across the Chamber as the Bill progresses.”

Eligible kinship carers can already access a range of support, delivered through councils and national services. The needs-based assessment would consider the specific circumstances of the child and family, with a view to maximising access to appropriate existing supports.

Move to strengthen public confidence in Glasgow hospitals

New group to oversee safety work

Work on safety measures at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) and the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) will be monitored by a new group made up of key infection control experts, whistleblowers and patients.

The move was announced by Health Secretary Neil Gray following evidence heard during the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which was set up after a number of deaths and high levels of infection at the hospital prompted concerns about patient safety.

The Group will be co-chaired by Sir Lewis Ritchie – the Sir James Mackenzie Professor of General Practice at the University of Aberdeen – and Professor Jann Gardner, Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

During his statement, the Health Secretary made clear that the work of this Group will not interfere with Lord Brodie’s independent inquiry and will make use of external independent scrutiny from Healthcare Improvement Scotland and NHS Assure. Lord Brodie is expected to deliver his report later this year.

Mr Gray has also confirmed that all material relevant to the Inquiry was provided.

Mr Gray said: “I want to again recognise the profound distress experienced by patients, by grieving families, and by staff who have been impacted by the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.

“For many, the recent Inquiry hearings looking into the evidence relating to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, have reopened longstanding and deeply painful wounds. My thoughts remain with all those affected.

“Our priority is to ensure that patients, families, staff and the public have full confidence in the safety of facilities and the environment in which services are delivered within the QEUH and RHC today.

“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will, from today, establish a high‑level Safety and Public Confidence Oversight Group which will be co-chaired by Sir Lewis Ritchie – who has a very strong reputation in providing external leadership and scrutiny across the NHS – and the Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Professor Jann Gardener.

“The Group will also stand ready to implement the findings from the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry. Enhanced reporting will be established with the Scottish Government who will provide scrutiny, challenge and support to the delivery of NHS GGC’s programme of work.

“All material relevant to the Inquiry has been preserved and submitted as evidence. Scottish Government officials are now examining how the documents referred to by the motion voted on by Parliament can be released safely and lawfully.

“This will see NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde taking significant, immediate steps to strengthen public confidence in the safety of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children.”

More than 1.5 million winter heating payments made

Scotland benefits from unique package of winter heating help

Over 1.5 million winter heating payments, including more than a million payments to older people, have been made so far this winter.

The vast majority of Pension Age Winter Heating Payments – more than 1,009,000 – have now been paid. The payment has replaced the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland and is paid at a higher rate than elsewhere in the UK.

The benefit, delivered by Social Security Scotland for the first time this winter, is designed to help people aged 66 and over with the cost of heating a home in the colder winter months.

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is just one element of the unique package of winter support available in Scotland.

Child Winter Heating Payment supports families caring for children with the highest disability support needs. Over 44,000 payments have now been made.

Winter Heating Payment is a reliable, annual payment that is not triggered by weather. People can get the payment if they receive certain benefits, with over 454,500 payments made this winter so far.

Social Security Scotland’s winter payments are issued automatically in most cases.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “As the cost of heating homes continues to rise, I’m incredibly proud of the extra support which we’ve made available this winter, with over 1.5 million payments made in total.

“Our package of winter heating support, which is stronger than anywhere else in the UK, provides the helping hand that many families and individuals need to manage their bills in the winter – without waiting for temperatures to hit a certain level.”

Lynn Campbell, senior welfare rights lead at Glasgow’s Golden Generation, a charity supporting older adults in the city, said: “Pension Age Winter Heating Payment means a great deal to many older adults. It will help alleviate the stress and worry associated with rising heating costs.

“This additional financial assistance provides reassurance to them, their families, and their carers that they have not been forgotten and that their past contribution to society is recognised and valued.”

Health: Scotland’s long waits reduce for 7 months in a row

Up to £20 million made available to boards to boost progress

Waiting lists continue to fall in Scotland with waits over 52 weeks reducing for 7 months in a row.

New figures from Public Health Scotland show at 31 December 2025 new outpatient waits of more than 52 weeks had reduced by 15.4% when compared to November 2025. These waits have reduced every month since July 2025 with total waits over 52 weeks down by 40.1% in that period.

The data also shows long waits for inpatient and daycase procedures have fallen every month since July 2025, with 52 week waits decreasing by 23.9% in that period.

New operation statistics also show an increase in activity in the last year – between January 2025 and December 2025 the number of operations carried out increased by 5.6% compared to the same period the year before. A total of 274,638 procedures were carried out in this period.

To further build on this progress, extra funding of up to £20 million is being made available to health boards for the current year.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “These latest figures show our plan is delivering for the people of Scotland and our NHS has turned a corner – we are seeing sustained progress in reducing waiting times with activity also increasing compared to last year.

“Thousands more appointments, operations and procedures are being delivered this year and we are determined to continue to build on this momentum, ensuring people receive the treatment they need as soon as possible.

“We are seeing downward trends across nearly all waiting list indicators which shows our targeted investment this year is having a real impact on people’s lives. None of this would be possible without out hard-working NHS staff and I want to thank each and every one of them for the progress they are delivering.”

Additional investment for neurodevelopmental support

Increased funding to support children and families

Children, young people and their families will benefit from £3.4 million of additional investment to improve access to neurodevelopmental support.

This brings investment in neurodevelopmental supports and services this year to more than £5 million, providing earlier help for families and ensuring people can access support that meets their needs.

More than £1 million is intended to directly support families, including providing access to digital support on neurodevelopmental conditions – including autism and ADHD. A successful hub model developed in Edinburgh will also be expanded to Tayside, bringing together health, education and third sector support for families in one place.

The investment will also help improve services, including testing new approaches to neurodevelopmental assessment and ADHD support for young adults.

Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur said: “I am determined to drive real, meaningful improvements and deliver the best possible outcomes for neurodivergent people. Demand for neurodevelopmental support and diagnosis has increased significantly in recent years, both in Scotland and globally.

“This additional £3.4 million will improve the help available to families – providing better information, practical support and access to services in their communities. This funding will create the groundwork for additional investment in the future – as proposed in our Budget for next year. 

“We want to ensure that children, young people and their families can access the support they need, regardless of where they are on their neurodevelopmental journey.

“A diagnosis is just one part of someone’s experience. What matters most is that people get the right support at the right time, and this funding will help make that happen.”

The investment builds on the additional £500,000 funding announced in June 2025, bringing the total additional investment to £3.9 million in 2025-26.

Funding is being made available for a range of projects, including:

  • supplementing health board assessment capacity, particularly for young people approaching transition to adult services
  • providing digital support to 1,000 families through the EPIC Think Learn platform
  • extending the Yard’s Edinburgh Disability and Neurodevelopment Hub model to Tayside, bringing together support from health, education and third sector services
  • testing holistic approaches to assessment and support with a new neurodevelopmental research clinic with the University of Glasgow
  • work to develop and test digital support tools for ADHD for young adults
  • continuing the Fife children and young people’s neurodevelopmental test of change
  • and work to better understand support needs of children and young people on health board waiting lists and assist connection of families with local support

Neurodevelopmental conditions include autism and ADHD.

Summer of Sport: Investing in sport and physical activity

Scottish Government’s additional £40 million will help people get more active

Providing free, accessible and inclusive access to sporting opportunities for Scotland’s children and young people is at the heart of targeted funding designed to capitalise on a “spectacular summer of sport”.

In June Scotland men’s national football team will compete at the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years before the city of Glasgow hosts the 2026 Commonwealth Games, from 23 July to 2 August.

While the nation’s elite sportspeople compete on the world stage, the Scottish Government is investing an additional £40 million into the 2026-27 sport budget.

If approved by the Scottish Parliament, this will see a £20 million uplift to core funding for sporting organisations and an additional £20 million to create innovative and inspiring physical activity opportunities for young people across Scotland, including:

  • a £15 million “Summer of Sport” initiative offering free sporting activities for children and young people
  • a universal learn-to-swim offer for every primary school child in Scotland that will continue beyond 2026, backed by initial year-one investment of £2 million
  • a £2 million ‘Celebration of Football’ fund, aligned with the World Cup, using the power of Scotland’s national game to change lives through football.
  • and a £1m ‘Health in the Community’ campaign targeting areas with low activity levels to become and stay active

Health Secretary Neil Gray, following a visit to an Active Schools event at St Brigid’s Primary in Glasgow, said: “We are all looking forward to a spectacular summer of sport with our men’s football team competing at the World Cup Finals and Glasgow welcoming athletes from across the Commonwealth for the Commonwealth Games in just six months’ time.

“The ‘Summer of Sport’ programme will harness the excitement of these world class sporting events.

“The Scottish Government is offering every young person the opportunity to learn to swim, regardless of their background. This is a core life skill which will benefit so many children.

“Our investment will remove barriers for communities to access sport and will also significantly increase the core budget for sportscotland, in turn creating and sustaining opportunities for people across Scotland to be more active.

“Sport can be a force for good and by encouraging people to become and stay active, we can unlock a range of wider physical and mental wellbeing benefits that can leave a lasting impact long after the World Cup and Commonwealth Games this year.”

Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “As Scotland prepares for an extraordinary Summer of Sport, we have a unique opportunity to harness the inspiration of major events to drive longer term participation and community benefit.

“The Scottish Government’s additional £40 million investment in sport strengthens our shared ambition to widen access, support local delivery partners, and ensure people of all ages feel the physical, mental, and social benefits that sport provides.

“This funding will allow us to work with partners to build on the momentum generated by the World Cup and Commonwealth Games and to deliver a more inclusive, active Scotland for the long term.”

Scotland will play host to or co-host three of the world’s biggest sporting events over the next three years – the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Tour de France Grand Depart 2027 and EURO 2028.

Hate Crime consultation: Further protections for women and girls

Consultation responses support new hate crime regulations

Women and girls will have greater protection against hate crimes under legislation laid in the Scottish Parliament by Ministers yesterday/today.

The regulations, if agreed by MSPs, will designate ‘sex’ as a protected characteristic under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021. There are protections in the Act for individuals’ rights in respect to freedom of expression for the new stirring up hatred offences. Hate crime is behaviour that is both criminal and rooted in prejudice and can be verbal, physical, online or face-to-face.

This will make it a specific criminal offence to stir up hatred against women and girls, as well as men and boys, because of their sex. The regulations will also allow courts to treat crimes motivated by hatred of someone’s sex as aggravated offences, which are considered more serious – including when passing sentence following conviction.

A consultation was held on the draft regulations, with 309 out of 365 responses supporting adding the characteristic of sex to both the stirring up of hatred offence and the aggravation. The final regulations now laid for MSPs’ scrutiny are largely unchanged from the draft.

The change will mean that women and girls have the same legal safeguards available under the Act to groups targeted by hate crime because of their age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “These regulations will significantly strengthen legal protections for women and girls from offences motivated by prejudice and hatred because of their sex and they will ensure that Scotland’s justice system can respond appropriately.

“The changes will mean women and girls have the same protections as victims who are targeted because of a specific characteristic, such as age, religion or disability. Men and boys will also be protected, however, we know that women and girls suffer significantly more from threats, abuse and harassment based on their sex, so they are likely to benefit most from those new protections.

“The vast majority of responses received during the consultation on these proposals supported adding the characteristic of sex to both the stirring up of hatred offence and the aggravation.

“The regulations will come into force on 5 April 2027, giving Police Scotland the necessary time to update training and guidance and ensuring they are operationally ready for the change.”