Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-18235 on 12 September 2018. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-18177 on 11 September 2018. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Throughout the re-planning process, commissioned by Scottish Ministers, we have been committed to listening to stakeholders. As part of the re-plan, recent advice from Police Scotland on a range of issues, and timing of implementation, particularly relating to ICT, has emerged. Based on that information, I have decided that we will re-examine all options for the devolution of railway policing, with clear governance structures that ensure accountability to the Scottish Parliament.

Full integration of railway policing into Police Scotland, as legislated for by the Scottish Parliament remains a long term goal and we will keep the commencement date of the Act under review. However, there is a need to identify interim arrangements that can give effect more quickly to the Smith Commission’s cross-party recommendation to devolve railway policing to the Scottish Parliament.

The absolute priority for all those involved is the safety and security of officers, staff and those who use Scotland’s railways.

I want to pay tribute to the on-going commitment of officers and staff of both police services, who I look forward to engaging with on this matter in the very near future.

I will commit to keeping Parliament fully updated on progress.

The payment of overtime to police officers is a matter for the chief constable of Police Scotland. The Police Negotiating Board (PNB) agreed to introduce a set of allowances that officers can claim when they are deployed away from their usual place of duty and as a consequence are unable to return home. This agreement came into force on 4 June 2018 and is published in PNB circular 2018/2 – link attached: https://www.gov.scot/Resource/0053/00538317.pdf .

The payment of overtime to police officers is a matter for the chief constable of Police Scotland. The Police Negotiating Board (PNB) agreed to introduce a set of allowances that officers can claim when they are deployed away from their usual place of duty and as a consequence are unable to return home. This agreement came into force on 4 June 2018 and is published in PNB circular 2018/2 – link attached: https://www.gov.scot/Resource/0053/00538317.pdf .

The payment of overtime to police officers is a matter for the chief constable of Police Scotland. The Police Negotiating Board (PNB) agreed to introduce a set of allowances that officers can claim when they are deployed away from their usual place of duty and as a consequence are unable to return home. This agreement came into force on 4 June 2018 and is published in PNB circular 2018/2 – link attached: https://www.gov.scot/Resource/0053/00538317.pdf .

The conclusion of any matter relating to the termination of employment of any NHS Scotland employee is principally a matter between the employing health board and former employee concerned. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to make any comment in individual cases.

In this case NHS Tayside have indicated that, upon leaving the board, Ms McLay only received what she was contractually entitled to and nothing more. In concluding all employment matters, NHS Scotland health boards are guided by both national and local employment policies and the principles of UK employment law.

Staffing costs to date were provided to the Justice Committee in May 2018. We will continue to provide costs as they emerge.

Police Scotland held two separate competitive tender processes in relation to BTP Integration. One for Programme Management Support and the other for specialist integration Due Diligence analysis. The successful bidder for both tenders was Ernst & Young who have been engaged through Police Scotland/SPA. The tenders are priced at £400,000 and £298,000 respectively and are being delivered on budget.

Scottish Government engaged an independent consultant through Harvey Nash Recruitment at a rate of £595 per day charged.

We have repeatedly guaranteed there would be no redundancies from the BTP transfer to Police Scotland. All officers and staff who transfer will do so in accordance with the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice which applies the principles of TUPE Regulations 2006.