6. To ask the Scottish Government how its budget for 2024-25 will support Police Scotland. (S6O-02939)

Protecting front-line services and supporting those who deliver them is a key priority for the Scottish Government. That is why, despite deeply challenging financial circumstances, the 2024-25 Scottish budget provides record funding for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland.

We will invest £1.55 billion in policing in the next financial year. The police resource budget will be increased by £75.7 million, which is a 5.6 per cent increase, with the capital budget increasing to £64.6 million, which represents a 12.5 per cent increase on the 2023-24 budgets.

I welcome the real-terms budget increase for Police Scotland. However, with the continued squeeze on Barnett consequentials and the disappointing autumn statement, will the Cabinet secretary outline the impact that that will have on delivering a fit-for-purpose Police Scotland service in the long term?

Last month’s autumn statement was the worst-case scenario for Scotland, as it contained a fiscal settlement from the United Kingdom Government that undermined the viability of public services across the whole of the UK—including here, in Scotland. Our block grant funding for the budget has fallen by 1.2 per cent in real terms since 2022-23 and our capital spending power is due to contract by almost 10 per cent in real terms over the next five years. Nonetheless, protecting front-line services is a priority for the Scottish Government, and our budget is delivering for justice and for policing in particular.

It might be helpful if I quote what the chief constable said when she attended the Criminal Justice Committee and welcomed the budget settlement. She said that this budget settlement is in

“recognition of Police Scotland’s value and the contribution that policing makes to Scotland being a safe place to live and work, with historically low levels of crime.”—[

Official Report, Criminal Justice Committee,

20 December 2023; c 2.]

I am very pleased to commend to Parliament a budget that, when we consider both resource and capital, has an increased investment of £92.7 million in policing for Scotland.

Every police officer in the UK has body-worn cameras, apart from in Scotland. They protect police officers and the public, support victims and witnesses and save time and money. Humza Yousaf has repeatedly promised them, but, due entirely to Scottish National Party budget choices, Scotland has been left behind.

Three weeks ago, the day after the budget, I asked the new chief constable whether the 2027 target date for full delivery would be met, but she could not tell me. When exactly will our officers finally get that basic kit?

I would have hoped that Mr Findlay would welcome two facts. The first is that the roll-out of body-worn cameras for police officers will commence this coming calendar year. The second is the record investment in policing in Scotland. Surely that is good news that we can all celebrate.