Chamber and committees

Ms Wallace, I would like to give you the opportunity to say a few words from your organisation’s perspective about the rights of victims in the context of remote justice and the issues and challenges around court delays.

Thank you very much, Mr Greene.

We are having a very comprehensive session, but I am conscious of time. If members and witnesses agree, we will extend the session until about midday in order to let everybody speak. I hope that that will not be inconvenient for the witnesses, but I want to give everyone a reasonable time allocation. I remind members and witnesses to keep their questions and answers as succinct as possible.

Thank you very much, Ms Wallace. That was helpful.

Good morning and welcome to the third meeting in session 6 of the Criminal Justice Committee. No apologies have been received. Agenda item 1 is to agree to take in private items 3 and 4, which are consideration of our approach to pre-budget scrutiny and consideration of today’s evidence. Are we agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

That answer was helpful and reassuring.

My next question is also linked to recruitment, although it relates more to the issue of training. I know that some training in the police service is critical, particularly officer safety training recertification, while there are other parts of training that can be either adapted or deferred. I am just interested in hearing your comments about the impact of the pandemic on your training regime, timetable and requirement, particularly in relation to the 26th United Nations climate change conference of the parties—or COP26—which is coming up in the not-too-distant future. What, if any, challenges are you facing in ensuring that staff and officers are ready to go and that you have the requisite training in place ahead of that event?

Thank you, Mr MacDonald. That is all from me. I hand over to Mr Findlay, and then Ms Stephenson.

In recent weeks, a number of my constituents have inquired about the option to double up their winter flu vaccine with a Covid booster vaccine. While we await the JCVI’s advice on whether Covid booster vaccines are required, will the First Minister confirm whether consideration is being given to administering the winter flu vaccine and, if applicable, a Covid booster vaccine at the same time?

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to help protect people participating in football activities, particularly children and young people, in light of research suggesting a link between repeated heading of footballs and dementia later in life. (S6O-00092)

The minister will be aware that the legendary Manchester United footballer, Aberdeen born and bred Denis Law, recently confirmed his diagnosis of mixed dementia. He believes that repeated heading of footballs may have played a part in that. Policies such as Frank’s law are an excellent way to ensure support for people who are affected by dementia. Does the Scottish Government plan to build on that landmark legislation?

I am conscious of the time, so we will move on.