The week in review

This week’s round up includes the launch of a new hate crime marketing campaign, the latest action to tackle gender-based violence in universities and colleges, new recorded crime stats and more.

Standing up to hate crime

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf and Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell met victims of hate crime at the Writer’s Museum in Edinburgh for the launch of a new campaign spelling out the importance of reporting hate crime.

Check out the campaign here.

Making universities and colleges safer places to live, work and study

All college and university staff in Scotland were given information cards to help them support anyone experiencing gender based violence. #EmilyTest campaigner Fiona Drouet’s powerful speech at the launch underline the life-changing importance of victims being able to disclose their experience to someone they feel comfortable speaking to, and knowing that they will be believed.

Recorded crime statistics and new research into robbery published

Research published alongside the annual recorded crime statistics found that cases of muggings on Scotland’s streets have more than halved over the past decade. Teenagers and people in their twenties are also now much less likely to commit a robbery, or be a victim of one.

In 2017/18 244,504 were crimes recorded by the police – an increase of 1% and the second lowest level since 1974.

Pay deal for Police Scotland 

Police officers in Scotland are to receive an immediate 6.5% pay increase in recognition of the essential work they do in keeping people safe. The deal represents an additional £125 million in officer wages over the period and is consistent with efforts to bring the police budget back into financial balance.

The award will see a salary increase of £2,300 for a mid-point Constable and the equivalent of an additional £6,000 in pay over the next 31 months.

Prescription Bill passes Stage 2

This week also saw the completion of MSPs’ line-by-line (Stage 2) consideration of the Prescription Bill, which aims to increase clarity, certainty and fairness for those in dispute over certain rights and obligations, and allow for more effective use of time and resources.

The legislation implements recommendations from the Scottish Law Commission, which highlighted issues with the law of negative prescription that can cause difficulty in practice, leading to unnecessary inconvenience and expense.

Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham tabled a number of amendments to improve the terms of the Bill, and responded to other proposed amendments from MSPs during Tuesday’s session at the Delegated Powers & Law Reform Committee. You can read the official report on the Parliament website or watch a video of the committee session below.

Navigating the world of work

Working in emergency departments in Scotland’s hospitals, the Navigator programme aims to help stop the revolving door of violent injury in A&E. This week, Business Minister Jamie Hepburn launched a new toolkit developed for use by Navigator mentors so they can include advice about employment and employability in the services they provide.

 

 

 

 

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