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The Scottish Government proactively publishes details of official visits undertaken by the First Minister. This information can be found at the following link https://www.gov.scot/publications/?term=ministerial%20engagements&page=1 .

The consultation on extending the scope of the current victim statement scheme launched on 1 September 2019 and will be open until
‎ 24 November 2019.

The consultation is seeking views on extending the scheme to include victims of serious crimes such as stalking, domestic abuse and religious hate crimes. It also seeks views on piloting different ways for a statement to be made, for example pre-recording.

From April 2019-20, Scottish Government has made available an additional £550,000 per annum (£1.65m over 3 years) of funding to bolster existing provision for supervised and supported bail as an alternative to the use of remand.

This funding is intended to double capacity for bail supervision services, but take up of this funding with be subject to the use of this alternative to remand by the judiciary.

Local authorities also have flexibility to use the ring-fenced funding for Justice Social Work of just over £100 million, which is protected in the 2019-20 budget, for bail supervision. This includes investment of £1.5 million annually since 2015-16 specifically for the development of bail services and early intervention schemes for women.

Revised guidance on Bail Supervision was also published 8 January 2019, as part of our 2018 Programme for Government commitment and supports recommendations of the Justice Committee Inquiry on the Use of Remand in Scotland.

The Scottish Government continues to work in close partnership with Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and the defence community to design a digital evidence sharing service that meets user need and the technical and business requirements of the criminal justice system. The service will enable earlier consideration and disclosure of evidence to support earlier case resolution, aimed at protecting victims and witnesses from a lengthy and potentially re-traumatising experience of the justice system.

Throughout 2018-2019, we have engaged with justice partners, the market and legal and procurement specialists to develop the requirements, understand the business transformation required to gain maximum benefit from the new technology, and identify the appropriate procurement approach. To ensure readiness for commencing procurement, the programme is currently undergoing assessment conducted by the Digital Assurance Office.

Since Transport Scotland appointed design consultants in September 2016 to take forward the design and assessment of a new grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk it has held a number of technical meetings with Aberdeenshire Council officers in relation to the scheme along with six partnership group meetings with Aberdeenshire Council, Angus Council and Nestrans.

The Scottish Government is currently taking forward the detailed development and assessment of the preferred option with a view to publishing draft Orders and Environmental Impact Assessment Report later this year for comment.

The Scottish Government is committed to completing the A90/A937 Laurencekirk Junction Improvement for the people of the north east as soon as possible. We are currently taking forward the detailed development and assessment of the preferred option with a view to publishing draft Orders later this year for comment.

Delivery of the scheme can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for its progress can be set.

Since early 2017, extensive geotechnical, topographical, traffic and environmental survey work has been undertaken as part of the rigorous assessment process used to establish and then develop in detail the preferred option for the trunk road improvement at Laurencekirk. Transport Scotland is currently taking forward the detailed development and assessment of the preferred option with a view to publishing draft Orders and Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the scheme later this year.

The collation of data on the roles held by police officers and staff is a matter for the Chief Constable.

In 2016 the Scottish Government announced £24 million for the design and construction of a new grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk as part of a package of additional investment alongside, but separate to, the Aberdeen City Region Deal, as such the scheme is being progressed through the Scottish Government’s Motorways and Trunk Roads Capital Land and Works budget.