What has the Scottish Parliament done?
Here are a few examples of what has been done in this area:
Legislation
The act makes the law relating to third party rights in contracts clearer and more usable.
The act removes the limitation period for actions of damages in respect of personal injuries resulting from childhood abuse.
This act created a single offence of human trafficking for all forms of exploitation of adults and children. It also aimed to strengthen the current slavery, servitude and forced labour offence in Scotland.
Summary (96KB pdf)
This act created single police and fire and rescue services for Scotland, replacing the eight territorial police forces and eight fire brigades along with their governing bodies.
Summary (120KB pdf)
Committee inquiries
The committee suggested that a more focused strategy on purposeful activity could lead to a reduction in reoffending rates and long-term savings. The committee recommended there should be better access for short-term prisoners to activities and a focus on the broader range of skills that can equip a prisoner for life after release, such as basic literacy skills and family contact.
Petitions
The Public Petitions Committee undertook an inquiry in 2013 into tackling child sexual exploitation in Scotland. The committee’s work informed the development by the Scottish Government of a National Action Plan to Tackle Child Sexual Exploitation.
What is the Scottish Parliament doing?
Here are some examples of what is currently being done in this area:
This bill seeks to make provision for electronic monitoring of offenders and as to certain other restrictive measures imposable on offenders; to make provision about periods and processes as regards disclosure of convictions by offenders; and to make provision relating to the organisation and functions of the Parole Board for Scotland.
The Justice Committee is leading on examination of this bill. The bill completed Stage 2 on 30 April 2019.
Follow the work of the Justice Committee on its webpage.
Follow the work of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee on its webpage.
Official Report
What is said in public in committees and in the Chamber, including debates and statements by Scottish Government Ministers, is recorded in the Official Report.
Use the Official Report search to find details of MSPs’ discussions in the Parliament on a particular issue.
Questions and motions
MSPs ask questions and lodge motions, some of which are debated, to gather information and raise awareness of issues.
Enter a keyword in the search to find out what MSPs have said about a specific subject.