Part of Urgent Question – in the Scottish Parliament at 9:30 pm on 28 October 2025.
Angela Constance
Scottish National Party
9:30,
28 October 2025
Let me start by agreeing whole-heartedly with the first part of Mr Marra’s question. There are people in this country associated with the hard right, particularly in communities where there are vulnerable people and high levels of poverty, who are exploiting the pain of members of our society, whether they are new Scots or old Scots who were born and bred in Scotland. He is right to say that we need to stand united against that.
In relation to the need for us to probe deeply, there is no room for complacency. There is never any room for Scottish exceptionalism when it comes to the protection of vulnerable adults and our children. I point to the work that we have been able to do as a result of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015, which was passed unanimously by the Parliament. I wonder whether legislation of that nature would pass unanimously today. I am sure that many of us recall the passing of that legislation and were very proud to support it. Other legislation that is crucial in this area includes the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007.
The Minister for Victims and Community Safety will be bringing forward further measures, such as the duty to notify. Ministers have the power to place a duty on public services to report when they come across or encounter someone whom they believe to be a victim of human trafficking.
I hope that that, along with my answers to Ms Regan and other members, demonstrates that we are very serious about tackling those who seek to harm, control and exploit.
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