Kirsten Oswald

25 Jun 2026   Decision Time (draft)

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I had difficulty voting. I would have voted no.

25 Jun 2026   General Question Time (draft)

I am grateful to Stephen Kerr for his question, but I point him to some of the previous answers that I have given. There needs to be a holistic approach to this very serious issue, and I have outlined significant elements of the prevention…

25 Jun 2026   General Question Time (draft)

I am grateful to Dawn Black for her focus on the vital importance of our communities being and feeling like safe places to live in. We know that the consequences of knife crime can be devastating. That is why we continue to invest in viole…

25 Jun 2026   General Question Time (draft)

I appreciate the importance that the member is placing on this issue. It is a matter of concern to all of us. We are all equally invested in making sure that the prevention focus that the Government has at the heart of its work is absolute…

25 Jun 2026   General Question Time (draft)

I am grateful to Pauline McNeill for asking that important question. A new strategy to prevent violence is being developed with key stakeholders, including the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, which will be published later this year. The …

25 Jun 2026   General Question Time (draft)

I commend the Cowdenbeath community, who I know are working hard with the police, on their actions. On the point that David Barratt made, the regulation of the sale of those items is reserved. However, we have consistently pressed for grea…

25 Jun 2026   General Question Time (draft)

I confirm to David Barratt that forensic tagging sprays can invisibly and harmlessly mark a person, vehicle or property with a unique identification code. The use of such technology is an operational matter for the chief constable, but I c…

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

I am grateful to Alan Brown for his continued interest in the matter. The cashback for communities programme is focused on delivering impact at the local level. He is obviously very interested in the programme, so I am happy to discuss it …

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

The cashback for communities programme is very important in supporting young people who are at risk of being involved in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending. So far, there has been investment of £156 million, which has helped 1.…

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

I am grateful to Pauline McNeill for providing such a local focus on the issue. The police take a serious and considered view on the matter. We remain committed to doing everything that we can to support them in enforcement, and we are abs…

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

I am grateful to Alyn Smith for highlighting the issue and for his focus on his local area. It is important that we consider the matter in the round, but one of the key issues to focus on is vehicle licensing, which is a reserved matter. I…

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

I am grateful to Kate Campbell for the angle that she has taken with that question. I very much agree with her. Early intervention and prevention work is a very powerful tool in addressing antisocial behaviour and is a real priority. That …

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

I recognise and share Kate Campbell’s concerns about antisocial behaviour involving the illegal use of e-bikes, particularly in cases in which individuals are engaged in criminality and concealing their identity. I encourage everyone to re…

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

I appreciate Mr Kerr’s question. The Scottish Government recognises the distress that is caused by crime, whether it be retail crime or other forms of crime. The victims are very much in our thoughts, which is why we fully support activity…

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

I am grateful to David Torrance for looking at the issue through that lens. It is important that we recognise the challenges of different types of crime and Police Scotland’s important role in keeping our communities safe. That is why we a…

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

Police Scotland was able to establish its retail crime task force through an initial £3 million of additional funding that was provided by the Scottish Government. That work will continue, backed by annual Scottish Government funding of a …

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

I will try to touch on the various elements of Kate Nevens’s question. There is ongoing work within Government to meet and engage constructively with a range of communities. Community cohesion and partnership working are vital to how we mo…

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

I do not know the details that lie behind what the member referred to. If it is a live police matter, I will not be able to comment on it.The recent behaviour that we have seen presents a challenge and is a source of concern for people. In…

17 Jun 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

We work across Government portfolios, including with Police Scotland, local authorities and third sector organisations, to support inclusion and to work directly with communities to strengthen cohesion so that everyone feels safe and value…

11 Jun 2026   Correction (draft)

At col 124, para 3—Original text—Since the programme began in 2008, £158 million has been invested in supporting diversionary activities, supporting 1.4 million young people.Corrected text—Since the programme began in 2008, £156 million ha…

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