Hansard

I appreciate the intervention. I am happy to take interventions, as it happens. I will happily write to Mr Kerr with further detail on that. It is an issue that is of interest to people.

I also want to touch on Katherine Sangster’s points on firework control zones. It was a useful point to raise, particularly with regard to community work, which is very much an example of prevention being brought to the fore.

Colin Beattie, Liam Kerr, Katherine Sangster and others mentioned retail crime. The impact on business is of serious concern; we recognise the disruption and harm that such crime—and related antisocial behaviour—causes to businesses and communities and, as a result, we have made an additional £3 million available in 2026-27 for Police Scotland specifically to help tackle it.

I also note that Colin Beattie raised the issue of schools and standards of behaviour in his speech, and I do want to talk about youth-related programmes, which I hope will be helpful. In that respect, I want to record my agreement with Duncan Dunlop on the great value of youth organisations. I would also note the points made by Dawn Black and Carol Mochan about social issues, the roots of difficulties and problems—alcohol misuse, for instance—and the importance of prevention and support.

I should also mention the independent working group on antisocial behaviour. The Scottish Government has taken forward work that falls under five themes, all of which have been progressed. I will look further at that work, and I am keen to hear from members about ideas for future activity.

I hope that members feel that I have touched on a number of the issues that they have raised. I would point out to Colin Beattie that I understand that, in Midlothian, there is Scottish Government-funded activity on the summer of sport theme, which ties together some of the concerns that he raised. I should also say that the collaborative approach being taken between Police Scotland, councils and partners at large, working together to target antisocial behaviour problems in communities, has been particularly important, and I reassure members that this Government will continue to equip the police and work with local partners to tackle antisocial behaviour, in line with our manifesto and our focus on all of our communities in Scotland.

I was interested in some of the things that Katherine Sangster was saying about social impact partnerships. I am heartened by the possibilities of social impact investment as a new approach to bringing together partners in order to deliver vital preventative action. I thought, too, that Kate Nevens’s comments on the impact of new approaches on different groups of people were relevant in that regard. We are committed to providing a £200,000 kick-starter fund to develop proposals for social impact partnerships, focusing on early intervention and justice and beginning with reducing reoffending and creating safe spaces for young people in order to divert them from antisocial behaviour.

Michelle Campbell’s intervention on Liam Kerr was insightful, and the interaction between them on that point was important. I am happy to speak to either of them about the issue and, of course, to any other member about the issues that they have raised.

The Government is also taking forward at pace work across manifesto commitments. For instance, on the seizure of e-bikes and e-scooters, which a number of members have highlighted, officials are working with Police Scotland to address the antisocial use of those vehicles, while recognising the constraints in that respect, such as the fact that vehicle registration remains a reserved matter.

I do recognise that members, quite rightly, do not wish to demonise young people; indeed, Colin Beattie talked about that, as did a number of other members. Antisocial behaviour comes not only from young people—it is quite true that most of them do not engage in antisocial behaviour—but our focus must be on diverting those who are at risk towards more positive paths. As Duncan Dunlop said, there is a role for those in this chamber to conduct themselves in a way that provides a positive influence.

The cashback for communities programme is important and has been successful. By investing a record £26 million from April 2026 to March 2029, we are helping to steer young people away from harm and, as Andrew Baxter suggested, towards more positive destinations. That is also happening in Midlothian, and I hope that it is helpful to mention to Colin Beattie that five projects are running there.

Phase 7 of cashback for communities builds on a strong track record, and I want to thank all of the people delivering that work in every local authority. Since the programme began in 2008, £158 million has been invested in supporting diversionary activities, supporting 1.4 million young people. Phase 7 sees 51 projects across the country delivering youth work, employability and skills. I would also note that a broad range of youth work is going on in Midlothian, too; again, I hope that that is helpful to Colin Beattie.

I accept that an effective system must exist to deal with people in conflict with the law. Young people and youth justice have featured prominently in our discussion today. I am clear on the impact of antisocial behaviour on victims and communities, including local businesses across Scotland—I heard Kate Nevens’s points about those who are particularly affected. The Government is, therefore, committed to supporting Police Scotland and other partners in the vital work that they do, including through the provision of record funding, and we are equally committed to preventative action.

The Government will remain focused on delivering our manifesto commitments, delivering for victims and delivering secure, safe and stronger communities. I again thank Colin Beattie for bringing this important debate to the chamber, and I am grateful to all members for their contributions.

Meeting closed at 18:23.