Parliamentary questions
Liam McArthur
3,644 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35124 by Angela Constance on 4 March 2025, whether any of the liquidated damages provisions contained in the contract for HMP Barlinnie have been triggered, and if so, how much was paid.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:I can confirm that to date, the liquidated damages provisions have not been triggered.
4 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the £4 million of investment for the hospice sector, outlined in its Budget for 2025-26, will be used to bring hospice staff under the Agenda for Change terms and conditions, and what the proposed timeline is for fulfilling this commitment.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Budget 2025-26 identified funding of £5 million to help support independent hospices deliver pay parity with Agenda for Change (AfC) levels for 2025-26. Officials are undertaking work to explore the mechanisms for providing this funding, wh…
26 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19194 by Paul McLennan on 28 June 2023, when it plans to publish the next local authority analysis for the Scottish House Condition Survey.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government publishes local authority analysis using a three-year pooled data set to ensure sufficient sample sizes. As set out in the Scottish House Condition Survey 2023 Key Findings Report (available at Scottish House Condition Survey: 2023 Key…
26 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to question S6O-04224 and the two supplementary questions by Jim Fairlie on 22 January 2025, whether it will provide an update on the assurances that, under the proposed changes to the schedule 1 bird monitoring licence conditions, in cases where it is not re…
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I can confirm that where it is not reasonably practicable for licence holders to notify the landowner(s) or land manager(s) in advance of planned activity, the licence holder must notify NatureScot and include the reason for not being able to notify the lando…
26 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ask NatureScot to meet with the Scottish Raptor Study Group to discuss concerns around proposed changes to the schedule 1 bird monitoring licence conditions.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: NatureScot have met with the Scottish Raptor Study Group on multiple occasions to discuss concerns around proposed changes to Schedule 1 bird monitoring licences.They are due to meet again with the Scottish Raptor Study Group and other relevant stakeholders o…
24 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it sought or received any expert advice on construction cost controls for the replacement of HMP Inverness and, if so, whether it will publish this.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:The SPS engaged the services of legal advisers and cost consultants to advise on cost controls within the contract. It would not be appr…
24 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many assaults on (a) staff and (b) prisoners have been recorded in HMP Inverness in each of the last five years.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:The number of assaults on staff in HMP Inverness in the last 5 years are as follows:HMP InvernessYearStaff violence202011202111202252023…
24 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates since 2011 was the timescale for the completion of HMP Highland communicated to it, and what the estimated timescale was at each update.
Answer · Angela Constance: There has been regular communication between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service on HMP Highland, including time-scales for completion, since 2011, in line with updates to the Infrastructure Investment Plan.In December 2011 the Scottish Go…
24 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources it will provide to prison officers working in overcrowded conditions at HMP Inverness until the new replacement prison is completed.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-35129 on 4 March 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available…
24 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have been released early from HMP Inverness, broken down by month since January 2022.
Answer · Angela Constance: SPS will publish information on the releases under the changes to sentencing for short-term prisoners on their website and SPS has previously published information on releases under the emergency release legislation also on their website.SPS continue to be as…
24 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a full breakdown of costs associated with the replacement for HMP Inverness, including any penalties for delays.
Answer · Angela Constance: The SPS engaged the services of legal advisers, cost consultants, insurance brokers and geo-technical consultants to advise on cost controls within the contract. It would not be appropriate for SPS to publish this advice as it is commercially sensitive inform…
24 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates since 2011 were any costs of HMP Highland communicated to the Scottish Government, and what the estimated costs were on each date.
Answer · Angela Constance: There has been regular communication between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service on HMP Highland, including costs, since 2011, in line with updates to the Infrastructure Investment Plan.In September 2011 the Scottish Government was updated…
24 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which contractors bid to build HMP Highland.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:This was a 2-stage procurement process, and 4 contractors bid at the 1st stage Pre-construction phase of the process. These bidders were…
24 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the reported delays to the replacement of HMP Inverness on (a) prison overcrowding and (b) early release policies.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:The needs and welfare of all those in our care remains a key priority for SPS as we continue to manage our highly complex population wit…
24 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have been given early release from HMP Barlinnie in each month since January 2022.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS have proactively published a range of data relating to Emergency Release (ER) on SPS Website, this includes a recently published a s…
20 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many cases have been time-barred from proceeding to court in each of the last five years, broken down by type of case.
Answer · Dorothy Bain: The following table shows the number of cases closed during the past 5 financial years which were time barred on receipt of report by COPFS. Each case may comprise multiple accused and a variety of charges. To ascertain case type would require a manual check …
19 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the delay to the replacement of HMP Barlinnie on (a) prison overcrowding and (b) early release policies.
Answer · Angela Constance: SPS will publish information on the releases under the changes to sentencing for short-term prisoners on their website and SPS has previously published information on releases under the emergency release legislation also on their website.SPS continue to be as…
19 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many assaults on (a) staff and (b) prisoners have been recorded at HMP Barlinnie in each of the last five years.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:The number of assaults on staff in HMP Barlinnie in the last 5 years are as follows:HMP BarlinnieYearStaff202035202149202230202345202463…
19 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners will be released early from HMP Barlinie due to overcrowding while the replacement prison for it remains incomplete.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS will publish information on the early release under the changes to sentencing for short-term prisoners on our website, and we have p…
19 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates since 2014 it has received an updated timescale for the completion of HMP Glasgow, and what the revised date given was at each update.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has received regular updates from the Scottish Prison Service on HMP Glasgow in line with updates to the Infrastructure Investment Plan since 2014:In March 2014 the Scottish Government was updated that there was an on-going site search…
19 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Prison Service regarding contingency plans for managing HMP Barlinnie while its replacement is delayed.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) on risks and contingency plans for the prison estate, including HMP Barlinnie.In response to recommendations made by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, SPS took fo…
19 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which contractors bid to build HMP Glasgow.
Answer · Angela Constance: This was a 2-stage procurement process, and 4 contractors bid at the 1st stage Pre-construction phase of the process. These bidders were Balfour Beatty Group, Graham Construction, Kier Construction and Laing O'Rourke.
19 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what alternative measures it is considering implementing to address prison overcrowding while the replacement for HMP Barlinnie is delayed.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government are progressing a range of actions to support a sustainable reduction in the prison population, including:The passage of the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Act 2025, which changes the point of release for most prisoners serving s…
19 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional support resources it will provide to prison officers working in overcrowded conditions at HMP Barlinnie until the replacement prison is completed.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:The needs and welfare of all those who live and work in our prisons remains a key priority for SPS, as we continue to manage our highly …
19 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it sought or received any expert advice on construction cost controls for the replacement of HMP Barlinnie and, if so, whether it will publish this.
Answer · Angela Constance: The SPS engaged the services of legal advisers, cost consultants, insurance brokers and geo-technical consultants to advise on cost controls within the contract. It would not be appropriate for SPS to publish this advice as it is commercially sensitive inform…
19 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have been given early release from HMP Barlinnie in each of the last five years.
19 Feb 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a full breakdown of the costs associated with the replacement for HMP Barlinnie, including any penalties for delays.
Answer · Angela Constance: SPS are unable to publish the full breakdown of costs as disclosure would be commercially prejudicial to the management of the contract, and to the contractor.SPS can confirm that the contract contains liquidated damages for any delays.
30 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of delivering the previous Scottish Prison Service Throughcare Support Service in its final year of operation.
Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:The estimated cost for the Throughcare Support Service in 2018-19 was £1,932,654.
30 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what provisions have been made to ensure continuity of support for people currently receiving assistance through the Shine and New Routes programmes for prisoners released from (a) short-term sentences or (b) remand during the transition to the new national throughcare service.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government and the partnership that will provide the new national throughcare service (consisting of Sacro, Access to Industry, Action for Children, Apex Scotland, Barnardo’s, Circle, Families Outside and Turning Point Scotland) are committ…
30 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people each year who have been releasedfrom prison (a) from short-term sentences and (b) on remand it expects the newnational throughcare service to support.
Answer · Angela Constance: At present, the existing Public Social Partnerships Shine and New Routes provide support to around 1750 individuals each year. It is anticipated that the level of funding provided to the new service will allow an additional number of people to be supported, i…