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The total number of scheduled trials outstanding peaked at 43,606 in January 2022 (from c18,000 pre-pandemic) and had reduced to 18,355 in the most current SCTS publication (May 2025). This significantly reduces the waiting time in which victims, witnesses and the accused await their trial.

While this positive picture demonstrates the success of the criminal court recovery programme in terms of backlogs, the court modelling undertaken by SCTS shows that the level of business entering Scotland’s criminal courts has changed since before the pandemic. There has been an increase in in relation to the most serious criminal cases. Justice agencies have been clear that the recovery programme will take time to address this, and we will continue to support that work.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

The SPS Policy for the Management of Transgender People in Custody makes it clear that if a transgender woman presents a risk of harm against women and girls, that they will be accommodated in a male establishment.

Any suspected breaches of discipline such as inappropriate behaviours, will be managed in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Prison and Young Offenders Rules (Scotland) 2011. Breaches of discipline include, but are not limited to:

4 – uses threatening words or behaviour

5 – commits any indecent or obscene act

13 – disobeys or fails to comply with any rule, direction or regulation applying to a prisoner

31 – attempts to commit, incites another prisoner to commit, or assists another prisoner to commit or attempt to commit, any of the foregoing breaches.

Restrictions may then be applied to individuals such as removal from association or activities in order to provide a safe and secure environment for everyone living in prisons.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

As defined in the SPS Management of Transgender People in Custody 2023, SPS manage transgender individuals in our custody using a rights-based approach, whilst ensuring that no transgender woman with a history of violence against women and girls, who presents a risk to women, will be placed in the female estate.

SPS’ Women’s Strategy also recognises the rights of women, by promoting therapeutic and trauma informed environments that recognise the individual past experiences of women and their specific needs.

Like many public services, SPS is currently reviewing its policies and practices to consider the impacts of the Supreme Court judgement. We will work to ensure that our policies or practices that are impacted comply with the outcome of the judgement and the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s revised Code of Practice, when published, ensuring compliance with the law.

Scottish Government’s Short Life Working Group will also support SPS to take the necessary steps when the Code is published.

As outlined in the Policy Memorandum accessible for the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, landowners will be entitled to apply to the Scottish Ministers for compensation for any loss or expense that is incurred in complying with procedural requirements, attributable to a potential transfer being prevented, or attributable to a lotting decision (including the requirement that lots be transferred to different purchasers). The amount of compensation will be determined by Scottish Ministers, or by the Lands Tribunal on an appeal against the Ministerial determination.

The Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) (link here: Scottish House Condition Survey - gov.scot) provides a snapshot of the domestic housing stock in each survey year, including the construction age, built form and the estimated number of dwellings falling below the Tolerable Standard (BTS). The physical data about the dwelling is recorded by surveyors trained to collect detailed information on housing characteristics and the key findings are published annually available here: Scottish House Condition Survey: 2023 Key Findings - gov.scot

The estimated number and percentage of dwellings recorded as BTS in Scotland is presented in table 1 below.

Table 1 Percentage and number of dwellings below tolerable standard 2018-2023

We speak to the SPFL regularly on a range of issues, and they have kept us updated on matters relating to Hamilton Academical FC and their proposed move.

I have recently written to the owners of the club offering to meet with them.

The Scottish Government is committed to an infrastructure solution to address the A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslip risks. Delivery of a permanent and resilient solution is a priority and we will continue to seek ways to achieve that as quickly as possible.

The design of the debris flow shelter follows both national and international design standards and good practice, including, but not limited to, the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, British Standards and Eurocodes. This is being informed by data collected on the A83 site as well as the extensive experience of Transport Scotland and its technical advisors who have designed similar structures in Europe and around the world.

For the majority of landslide events, material from landslides will not collect on the roof of the debris flow shelter, albeit the roof is being designed to withstand these larger landslide events. Large catchpits are located at the rear of the debris flow shelter to capture any material from landslide before it reaches the shelter for all but the most significant landslide events. The roof will predominantly be used for access to clear material from the catchpits allowing the A83 Trunk Road to continue running during clearance operations.

The proposed solution of the debris flow shelter has been applied across Europe in similar situations, as well as similar approaches taken on railway projects, such as Dawlish rockfall shelter in England. The link to the website can be found here: https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/design-manual-for-roads-and-bridges-dmrb-stage-two-route-options-assessment-report-a83-access-to-argyll-and-bute/.

The Scottish Government is committed to an infrastructure solution to address the A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslip risks. Delivery of a permanent and resilient solution is a priority and we continue to seek ways to achieve that as quickly as possible.

Funding is included in the 2025-26 Budget to continue to progress both the medium and long term solutions. Funding to progress the construction stage of the medium and long term solutions will be determined as part of the annual Scottish Budget setting exercises. However, this scheme is a priority for Scottish Government, noting it is a key recommendation in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) and is included in our published Programme for Government 2025-26.

A traffic and economics assessment was carried in accordance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, however, its purpose is not to assess impacts to each and every business in Argyll and Bute. This is why at the most recent A83 Taskforce meeting I have arranged for roundtable meetings to be taken forward for each of the various business sectors for focussed discussions on the possible impacts and potential mitigation measures which may be implemented to further reduce any impact on businesses during construction of the long term solution. The link to the website can be found here: https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/design-manual-for-roads-and-bridges-dmrb-stage-two-route-options-assessment-report-a83-access-to-argyll-and-bute/.

The Scottish Government is committed to an infrastructure solution to address the A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslip risks. Delivery of a permanent and resilient solution is a priority and we will continue to seek ways to achieve that as quickly as possible.

The debris flow shelter, announced as the preferred route option in June 2023, has the greatest potential to be delivered quickly and was the most economical solution of all the options assessed, and is being progressed. Draft Orders and Environmental Impact Assessments for both the medium and long term solutions were published in December 2024 marking a significant milestone and shows our commitment to tackle the landslide issues at the Rest and Be Thankful.

Transport Scotland is considering all representations received, including objections, to the published draft Orders and is working at pace to resolve these if possible. If it is not possible to resolve objections a Public Local Inquiry may be required to consider objections received and not withdrawn.

The Scottish Government is duty bound to properly follow the correct statutory procedures which rightly include the opportunity for local communities to input and have any objections resolved appropriately.

As with all infrastructure projects, delivery of the scheme can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory authorisation procedures and thereafter a timetable for procurement and construction phases can be set.

The link to the website can be found here: https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/design-manual-for-roads-and-bridges-dmrb-stage-two-route-options-assessment-report-a83-access-to-argyll-and-bute/.

In line with the requirements of Section 16 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, the Scottish Government discloses to the Scottish Parliament the number and total cost of employing special advisers on an annual basis. The latest report, pertaining to the financial year 2024-25, was published on 6 June 2025. I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-38463 on 6 June 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Although there is around a one month overlap with the tenure of the previous First Minister, the response nonetheless confirms that costs for 2024-25 under the current First Minister have reduced to £1,745,042 from £1,906,963 in the previous financial year.