Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 29 January 2025.
Maggie Chapman
Green
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how its draft budget 2025-26 will help enable individuals and communities to access justice. (S6O-04264)
Siobhian Brown
Scottish National Party
The 2025-26 draft Scottish budget outlines that we will invest almost £4.2 billion across the justice system, which is a 9.5 per cent increase on this year’s budget. We are committed to ensuring fairer access to justice, whereby individuals can be supported in criminal, civil and administrative law settings.
Additional funding can be provided only if Opposition parties support the Scottish budget. It is welcome news that the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats got around the table for budget negotiations so that we can deliver for the people of Scotland. I urge the Scottish Labour Party and the Conservatives to work together with us to pass the budget and allow us to uphold the rule of law, safeguard rights and protect individuals and communities from harm, which is fundamental to the functioning state and to the people of Scotland.
Maggie Chapman
Green
The Human Rights Consortium Scotland says:
“Scotland faces a critical shortage of civil legal aid solicitors, which leaves countless individuals, particularly those in poverty, unable to get the legal representation they need to address injustices and uphold their rights.”
Parents in urban and rural areas in the north-east are struggling to access advice following family breakdown, often as a result of domestic violence. A lack of legal aid provision leaves them and their children without support. Poverty, poor health and the loss of sustained and positive contact between children and parents are the results.
Will the Minister outline any planned actions to increase the availability of legal aid provision in the north-east for parents who are separating, many of whom face issues with the safety and wellbeing of their children as well as themselves?
Siobhian Brown
Scottish National Party
The Scottish Government recognises that reform is needed in the legal aid system for legal aid to be responsive and user-centric and to work effectively in the delivery of agreed actions in the way that is expected of public services.
In the short term, we have identified priority changes that we believe will impact positively on users and providers. Officials are currently developing a legal aid action plan for reform, and we will engage with that soon. I am aware that the Scottish Legal Aid Board is currently undertaking a geographical analysis of legal aid throughout Scotland.
I am happy to meet Maggie Chapman to discuss any constituent experiences that she wants to discuss or if she would like to provide input to the reform.
Douglas Ross
Conservative
I remind members that my wife is a sergeant in Police Scotland.
One area in which communities can access justice is through the incredible work of our highly trained and skilled police dogs, of which there are 150 in Scotland. The Minister will be aware of the shocking story at the weekend of police dog Zara, who was put down rather than the force paying veterinary Bills of £12,000. Will the minister explain why police dogs are not routinely insured in Scotland? Does she agree with Dave Wardell, the dog handler of police dog Finn and an author and campaigner, who said:
“These dogs are amazing. They’ve given up their lives for service. The difference they make to policing is incredible ... This needs looking into. Poor PD Zara could and should still be alive.”
Has the minister raised that shocking situation with Police Scotland?
Siobhian Brown
Scottish National Party
I appreciate all the work of police dogs and the importance of their welfare. I will write to Douglas Ross on specific details of the insurance of police dogs.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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violence occurring within the family
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